Benzinga·2025-12-30 17:41Core Viewpoint - Wall Street is shifting focus beyond 2025, anticipating the next phase of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with an emphasis on the "AI ripple effect" winners beyond just chipmakers [1] Group 1: AI Stock Picks - Nvidia Corp. is highlighted as a top AI name heading into 2026, with significant upside expected from companies benefiting from the AI boom rather than solely from chip sales [1] - Top AI-driven stock picks for early 2026 include Tesla Inc., Microsoft Corp., Palantir Technologies Inc., CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., and Apple Inc., with every dollar spent on Nvidia chips generating an $8 to $10 multiplier across the tech ecosystem [2] Group 2: Company Insights - Microsoft is leading the enterprise AI race through Azure, with a potential stock upside of $100 as demand for cloud and AI accelerates [3] - Apple is expected to experience a major shift in AI adoption in 2026, potentially enhanced by a partnership with Google, which could add $75 in incremental value to its stock [3] - Tesla is entering a crucial year driven by advancements in autonomous driving and robotics, with autonomy alone potentially adding $1 trillion to its valuation, positioning it at the forefront of "physical AI" [4] Group 3: Investment Focus - Investors are advised to concentrate on AI derivatives, software, platforms, autonomy, and cybersecurity, as these areas are expected to yield the most significant gains in the upcoming AI cycle [4]