Artificial intelligence stocks sit at the crossroads of powerful forces right now, with inflation expectations in major economies easing but still elevated, central banks moving carefully on rates, and energy and data costs keeping pressure on margins. The AI Stocks screener focuses on companies directly tied to the ChatGPT and broader AI build out, across semiconductors, software, LLMs, cloud and transformation. For investors trying to cut through mixed macro signals and noisy headlines, this theme offers a focused way to track businesses supplying the computing power and tools behind AI. This article highlights three stocks from that screener that may merit a closer look.

Baidu (BIDU)

Overview: Baidu is a Beijing based technology company that runs one of China’s major search and content ecosystems, alongside AI focused services spanning cloud, autonomous driving through Apollo Go, smart assistants, and online entertainment via its iQIYI video platform.

Operations: Baidu generates most of its CN¥128.7b revenue from Baidu General Business at about CN¥103.0b, with iQIYI contributing around CN¥26.3b and small eliminations and adjustments.

Market Cap: US$36.7b

Investors looking at Baidu are really looking at a broad AI platform that reaches from China’s mobile search and video streaming markets into AI cloud, chips and autonomous ride hailing, with Apollo Go already running millions of rides and gaining regulatory traction in Europe and the Middle East. The company is leaning heavily into ERNIE based agents, digital humans and AI cloud, which is feeding AI related revenue. However, near term profit has been hit by a CN¥16.5b one off loss and higher AI and cloud spending. That mix of AI exposure, low current margins, funding through external borrowing and fresh regulatory attention in the U.S. makes Baidu a complex, higher risk AI stock that some investors may want to understand in much more detail before deciding how it fits their portfolio.

Baidu’s ERNIE agents, AI cloud push and autonomous ride hailing ambitions could tell a very different story to its recent CN¥16.5b one off loss, so it is worth reading the 1 key reward and 2 important warning signs.

Figma (FIG)

Overview: Figma is a San Francisco based software company that provides a browser based platform where teams design, prototype and ship digital products together, combining tools for interface design, whiteboarding, presentations, websites and AI assisted creative work in one place.

Operations: Figma generates about US$1.2b in revenue from Internet Software & Services, split between roughly US$621.9m from international customers and US$539.1m from the United States.

Market Cap: US$9.8b

Figma stands out in AI focused software because it already sits at the centre of how many large companies design digital products, and is now layering AI tools like Make and Weave directly into those daily workflows. Revenue growth has been strong, and analysts expect it to keep outpacing the wider US market, but the company is still reporting losses and funds itself through higher risk external borrowing, which raises the bar for execution. Recent analyst coverage highlights both the potential of AI driven monetisation and concerns about valuation, share price volatility and rising management pay while the business remains unprofitable. For investors, the tension between Figma’s product strength and its financial risk is where the real story begins rather than ends.

Figma’s accelerating adoption and AI tools are only half the story; the real tension sits between that momentum and its losses, which the analyst forecasts for Figma helps explain before one crucial assumption falls apart

Infleqtion (INFQ)

Overview: Infleqtion is a quantum technology company that builds neutral atom based systems for computing, sensing, timing and secure communications, supplying quantum clocks, RF sensors and software to customers in defense, space, critical infrastructure and high performance computing.

Operations: Infleqtion currently generates about US$33.6m of revenue from Computer Services, with most sales coming from the United States and smaller contributions from the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other regions.

Market Cap: US$3.1b

Infleqtion gives investors pure play exposure to quantum hardware and software at the point where governments and large enterprises are starting to spend more on secure timing, GPS free navigation and post quantum security, backed by programs in the U.S., U.K. and space agencies. Revenue of US$32.5m and a GAAP operating loss of US$35.3m show this is still an early stage, loss making business, even as recent contracts, funding and index inclusion have raised its profile. Heavy reliance on government customers, high share price volatility and funding via external borrowing mean the risk side of Infleqtion is just as important as the upside built into its quantum and AI story.

Infleqtion’s quantum story is accelerating, but its US$35.3m operating loss and reliance on government work leave big questions about how the thesis holds together. The analysis report for Infleqtion starts to unpack these issues before the real twist appears.

The three AI stocks in this article are just a starting point, with the full Artificial Intelligence/ AI Stocks screener surfacing 647 more companies that pair AI exposure with equally compelling business narratives. Use Simply Wall St to identify, filter and analyze the specific catalysts and stories that matter to you so you can focus on the opportunities in this theme that best match your own level of conviction.

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Seeking Fresh Alternatives Beyond These AI Stocks

Some of the most interesting breakout stories stay under the radar for now and momentum can shift quickly, so scan fresh stock ideas before the crowd and act now.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.