This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Wedbush is shining a spotlight on artificial intelligence as we head into 2026, highlighting Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), and CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) as top AI plays beyond Nvidia.
The firm sees Microsoft poised for a big AI leap next year, with Azure deployments moving from pilot projects to full-scale enterprise rollouts. Analysts led by Dan Ives noted growing demand from CIOs, signaling a potential inflection point for the Redmond tech giant.
Palantir is also on the radar, with steady traction across government and commercial contracts suggesting the company could scale significantly in the AI era. CrowdStrike is expected to benefit as cybersecurity needs expand alongside AI adoption, positioning its platform for broader enterprise growth.
On the consumer side, Tesla’s ambitions in autonomous driving and robotics are expected to unlock more AI-driven value, while Apple can leverage its 2.4 billion iOS devices and 1.5 billion iPhones to monetize AI features over the next few years. Wedbush estimates AI could add $75 to $100 per share to Apple’s story.
Investors looking at 2026 may want to watch these leaders closely, as Wedbush signals the real AI gains will come from execution, not just buzz.