The Pick-and-Shovel Phase of AI Has Arrived: 3 Stocks to Watch

Core Insights - OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is facing significant financial challenges, with estimates suggesting it may need to spend over $200 billion to achieve its growth objectives [1] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Investing in companies that provide essential services to the AI sector, referred to as "pick-and-shovel" plays, may be a more prudent strategy than waiting for OpenAI to become investable [2] - Astera Labs, Iren, and Nokia are identified as key "pick-and-shovel" businesses that are well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing AI megatrend [3] Group 2: Company Profiles - Astera Labs specializes in products that enhance connectivity within AI data centers, addressing the significant computational needs of AI systems [5] - The company reported a remarkable 104% year-over-year revenue increase in Q3, reaching $230.6 million, with Q4 sales projected between $245 million and $253 million [7] - Iren, originally a Bitcoin mining business, is pivoting to expand its cloud computing capacity to meet the growing demand from hyperscalers for AI processing power [8]