The exponential growth of AI: when investments truly begin to thrive in the new economic cycle

The Beginning of a Transformative Era for Global Capital

Investments in artificial intelligence are reaching a critical phase. According to market analysts’ forecasts, spending over the next twenty-four months will surpass what was invested in the entire previous decade. This is not a speculative bubble but the concrete start of what experts call the “fourth industrial revolution.” Unlike previous waves of technology, capital is being directed toward tangible infrastructure: cloud migrations, national AI enhancement projects, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, and enterprise software upgrades.

Macroeconomic data confirm this trend: 63% of recent US economic growth is attributable to AI-related investments. Without this spending, the American economy would appear significantly weaker. Gartner estimates that global AI spending—including infrastructure, software, hardware, and services—will reach $2 trillion by 2026.

A Historic Window to Identify the True Winners

While public attention remains focused on giants like NVIDIA, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, the most significant opportunities are hidden elsewhere in the AI landscape. Cybersecurity companies like CrowdStrike and Palo Alto are poised to thrive in a context where cyber threats multiply alongside defenses. Infrastructure providers like Vertiv and Akamai, though less visible, play crucial roles in powering and cooling global data centers. The enterprise software sector, less conspicuous but fundamental, forms the substrate upon which the future AI-driven economy rests.

This second, third, and fourth generation of beneficiaries of the AI boom offers potential returns above average. NVIDIA’s leadership in GPU manufacturing has defined the AI computing paradigm; Tesla’s advances in autonomy and robotics align with integrated systems; Palantir’s strategic shift toward business software has validated its ability to recognize long-term market transformations.

Geopolitical Rivalry and Control of Semiconductors

The US and China are significantly accelerating their investments in computational power, next-generation semiconductors, and AI-driven sectors. This strategic competition underscores the vital importance of infrastructure manufacturers and enterprise-class software platforms. Recently, in December, President Trump authorized NVIDIA to distribute its H200 chips—second in technological advancement—to selected clients in China, with a reserved quota for US government agencies to safeguard national interests.

The semiconductor supply chain, on which companies like TSMC, ASML, and Intel hold strategic positions, remains the critical bottleneck for the global expansion of AI. Chip manufacturers and software companies are not alternatives but complementary in determining the pace of worldwide AI adoption.

CrowdStrike: Protecting the New Economic Order

CrowdStrike is one of the leading beneficiaries of the convergence between AI and cybersecurity. With an estimated valuation of $150 billion exposed to emerging threats, organizations are increasingly seeking sophisticated security operational centers. The company’s Charlotte AI platform, supported by AgentWorks, strengthens its competitive position in the sector.

Recent strategic acquisitions of Onum and Pangea, the scalability of Falcon Flex, and the achievement of FedRAMP High certification for Charlotte AI position CrowdStrike for significant expansion in the public sector and international markets. As of December 1st, the Outperform rating was confirmed with a twelve-month price target of $600, compared to the current price of $509.16.

Palantir: From Specialized Software to an AI Enterprise Pillar

Palantir’s trajectory illustrates how to recognize true generational winners. When it initially went public at around $10 per share, many considered it mainly a government contract-dependent company. However, deeper analysis revealed a silent evolution toward the enterprise sector with strategic changes that Wall Street had not yet fully incorporated into valuations.

In July 2023, coverage was initiated with an Outperform rating and a target of $25—more than 50% above the previous price of $16.15. With Palantir’s AI capabilities continuing to advance, targets were subsequently raised. Today, the stock trades near $180, fully validating the growth thesis and serving as a clear example of how early identification of transformative trends can generate exceptional returns before the broader market recognizes them.

Still in the Early Stage of the Revolution

According to the most experienced analysts, we are still in 1996 of the AI revolution, not 1999. This means that although market sentiment may fluctuate, the underlying momentum remains strong. The adoption curve is still in its early phases, with trillions of dollars of infrastructure yet to be built and deployed worldwide. Some contrarians, such as those betting against tech giants, may lack the vision to recognize the true scope of this structural economic transformation.