2 Unstoppable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in 2026 and 1 to Avoid

Core Insights - The S&P 500 experienced a rally of over 16% in 2025, marking its third consecutive year of gains exceeding 15%, driven by lower interest rates, stock-split enthusiasm, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) [1] Group 1: AI Market Potential - Analysts at PwC estimate that advancements in AI could contribute more than $15 trillion to global GDP by 2030 [2] - The AI revolution is expected to significantly impact various sectors, with two companies positioned to capitalize on this trend [8] Group 2: Meta Platforms as a Key Investment - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is highlighted as a top stock to buy in 2026, benefiting from the AI revolution [4] - The company generates approximately 98% of its net sales from advertising across its platforms, attracting an average of 3.54 billion daily visitors [6] - Meta is deploying generative AI solutions to enhance advertising effectiveness, which may protect it from potential downturns in the AI market [7] - As of September, Meta had over $44 billion in cash and equivalents, with nearly $80 billion in net cash generated from operations in the first nine months of 2025, allowing for investment in high-growth initiatives [8][9] Group 3: Investment Risks - Despite the potential of the AI market, not all AI stocks are expected to succeed, with one highly popular stock advised to be avoided in 2026 [3]