Smaller companies are rising quickly to challenge Big Tech as AI 's best trade

Group 1: AI's Impact on Investment Opportunities - Artificial intelligence is transforming energy markets, infrastructure spending, and portfolio construction, with a focus beyond just chips and software [1] - Companies like Bloom Energy have seen significant stock price increases, with shares rising over 500% since last year, reaching a market cap above $30 billion [1] Group 2: Small- and Mid-Cap Companies - Small- and mid-cap companies are gaining attention as they operate in niche markets with limited competition, allowing for faster improvement in fundamentals [2] Group 3: Energy Reliability and AI - Energy reliability is crucial, as data centers require a constant power supply to avoid downtime, shifting the focus from renewable energy intermittency to consistent energy sources [3] Group 4: Nuclear Energy Investment - There is a notable shift towards nuclear energy, with renewed investments in existing plants and the development of small modular reactors, creating new suppliers and growth opportunities [4] Group 5: Data Center Efficiency - Efficiency in data centers is critical, with cooling and power management becoming bottlenecks as AI workloads expand, leading investors to favor leading companies in these fields [5] Group 6: Market Structure and Investment Strategies - Market structures show concentration with few providers, leading to operating leverage but also potential risks, prompting interest in actively managed ETFs to identify growth opportunities earlier [6] Group 7: Risks in AI Ecosystem - The AI ecosystem includes financially weak companies that are sensitive to electricity demand, leading to volatility, suggesting that no single AI theme should dominate an investment portfolio [7] Group 8: Nuclear ETFs and Market Entry Points - Nuclear ETFs have experienced significant price fluctuations, with some trading at high levels before stabilizing, indicating a more reasonable entry point for new investors [8] Group 9: Nuclear ETFs List - Notable nuclear ETFs include First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF, VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF, Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF, Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF, and Global X Uranium ETF [9]