Should original content contributors be paid every time large language models use their work? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes they should, much like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes, he said on Wednesday at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit.
“I think we do need a new [standard] for how creators are going to get rewarded. We need to find new economic models where creators can have new revenue streams”.
-Sam Altman
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Even though developing such an economic model will be complex, it is unclear how people getting paid for their original work could become a norm in the future even if it does. The news comes amidst ChatGPT, Altman’s AI chatbot, which has itself been under fire numerous times over the years over copyright infringement and unpermitted use of published articles.
“A particular passion of mine has always been, can we figure out how to do micropayments where, if you generate a story in the style of [a writer, they] can opt into that … and get paid for it.”
-Altman.
Regardless of Altman’s company facing criticism over copyright infringement concerns and ethical debates surrounding its AI models, the company continues to push boundaries in AI innovation, introducing groundbreaking tools and features that redefine the tech landscape. In its latest, OpenAI has introduced its buzzy AI video-generation tool, Sora, on Monday, December 9th.
Working similar to OpenAI’s image-generation AI tool, DALL-E, Sora will be able to develop a high-definition video clip each time a user types out a desired scene. The video generation tool will also be able to generate video clips inspired by still images and extend existing videos or fill in missing frames. As per OpenAI’s YouTube live stream, the tool will debut to U.S. users as well as to “most countries internationally” on Monday, December 9th. However, it also said that there is “no timeline” yet for launching the tool in Europe and the U.K., as well as some other countries.
In October, the company closed its latest funding round with a valuation of $157 billion, securing $6.6 billion from a wide range of investment firms and major tech companies. All of the company’s strategic initiatives and funding are part of a thoughtful growth plan for OpenAI as the company competes with other strong AI startups such as Anthropic, Elon Musk’s xAI, and other tech giants.
For this article, we selected AI stocks by going through news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. These stocks are also popular among hedge funds.
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10. Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:LTRN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3
Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:LTRN) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing targeted cancer therapies using its proprietary RADR® AI platform. On December 9, the company announced that it had begun its Phase 2 HARMONIC™ clinical trial, enrolling its first patient in Taiwan. The Harmonic™ is a clinical trial investigating the overall and progression-free survival of never-smoker patients with relapsed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after treatment with the investigational new drug LP-300 in combination with chemotherapy. The study will evaluate LP-300 in never-smoker patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed after receiving treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), a targeted therapy drug. The enrollment of the first patient in Taiwan, a key region for the study, marks an important milestone in the expansion of their HARMONIC trial.
“The enrollment of our first patient in Taiwan marks another important milestone in the expansion of our HARMONIC™ trial. The extremely high proportion of never-smoker lung cancer patients in Taiwan makes this region important for accelerating our enrollment with the objective of addressing a critical unmet need in a population where this disease has an outsized impact”.
-Panna Sharma, President and CEO of Lantern Pharma.
9. Navitas Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:NVTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Navitas Semiconductor Corporation (NASDAQ:NVTS) is a small-cap chip designer. Its next-generation power solutions support energy-efficient AI data centers. On December 5, the pure-play, next-generation power semiconductor company announced that it will be displaying several breakthroughs for AI data centers, EVs, and mobile technology at CES 2025, one of the world’s largest technology conferences. The “Planet Navitas” suite highlights the company’s goal to ‘Electrify our World™’ by transitioning from old silicon technology to new, eco-friendly GaN and SiC power semiconductors. Designed for high-growth markets, some of the technologies that will be showcased include the world’s only 650V bi-directional GaNFast™ power ICs, 8.5 kW AI data center power supply with 98% efficiency, and a new generation of highly-integrated GaN power ICs. The CES 2025 takes place in Las Vegas, NV from January 7th – 10th.
8. NICE Ltd. (NASDAQ:NICE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
NICE Ltd. (NASDAQ:NICE) offers cloud-based platforms, AI-enhanced compliance tools, and customer experience solutions for AI-driven digital business solutions worldwide. On December 9, the company announced that Prosper, a financial services company, had selected it as their CX (Customer Experience) transformation partner. Prosper will be able to leverage Nice’s enterprise capabilities for managing customer experience holistically, scale effectively, mitigate risk, and improve operations. Solutions such as the award-winning CXone Mpower platform and SmartReach will help Prosper to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and adapt swiftly to market changes. Additionally, NICE Interaction Analytics with Enlighten AI for Complaint Management will detect and solve customer complaints automatically, positioning it for further digital and AI innovation.
“Meeting the customer where they are on their journey, and understanding what that customer has already completed, is essential to providing seamless CX. Prosper’s dedication to deliver industry-leading experiences with NICE’s comprehensive CX AI platform displays its commitment by being proactive in understanding and addressing consumer needs with innovation purpose-built for Customer Experience”.
– Barry Cooper, President, CX Division, NICE.
7. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH) is a military-defense-focused company offering artificial intelligence (AI) services to the US government. On December 7, Bank of America highlighted a couple of buy-rated stocks, stating that they are a “must-own” heading into the final weeks of 2024. One of these stocks is Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (NYSE:BAH). Analyst Mariana Perez Mora said in a recent note to clients that investors shouldn’t sleep on the shares of BAH. She acknowledged that investors are cautious about margins after the company’s recent earnings report, but cost controls and hiring have bounced back which should ease these concerns. The company, the analyst highlighted, is at the forefront of AI implementation.
“In our view, BAH is at the forefront of enabling cyber and AI implementation to meet increasingly complex mission requirements for a variety of government customers,” she wrote. Booz also remains well positioned as a “tech enabled workforce drives growth across defense, Intel, and civil” industries…Given the high-quality work BAH continues to do, we expect to see strong margins continue”.
– Analyst Perez Mora.
6. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) is a leader in AI-powered cybersecurity. On December 9, TD Cowen analyst Shaul Eyal reiterated a “Buy” rating on Palo Alto Networks and retained the price target of $420.00. Citing the company’s growth potential and strategic positioning, the analyst notes how the company is garnering significant customer engagement through its platformization strategy. The platformization strategy, which involves integrating its cybersecurity solutions into a unified, AI-driven platform, has led to larger deals and increased annual recurring revenue for the company.
Moreover, the company’s AI-powered security features, such as Precision AI™, position it strategically to capitalize on its growing demand. The positive outlook is further reaffirmed by Palo Alto’s recent financial results. The company’s strong increase in next-generation security annual recurring revenue, rising total and subscription revenues, operating efficiencies and newer SaaS offerings have all led to profitability improvements. It has also been enhancing its offerings, such as the acquisition of IBM’s QRadar Software as a Service assets, which has enhanced its AI and automation capabilities.
5. Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70
Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) is a semiconductor firm with a significant focus on data centers. The company was awarded a “Buy” rating on December 4 by DBS analyst Fang Boon Foo, having reiterated its bullish stance on the stock. Marvell Technology has been thriving in the data center market, with revenues surpassing expectations that are driven by a strong demand for its AI technologies. The company makes custom AI chips for Alphabet’s Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
The company’s leadership in communications and connectivity, reinforced by key growth areas such as data infrastructure, cloud, and 5G, underpins its market advantage. Moreover, its shift from consumer products achieved through strategic acquisitions like Innovium, Inphi, and Aquantia, demonstrates its commitment towards stable enterprise solutions. Lastly, expected growth in return on equity and a recovery in non-AI segments support a positive outlook despite past challenges.
4. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71
Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) is an enterprise software giant and an AI Data Cloud company. On December 9, Telsey Advisory raised the firm’s price target on Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW) to $220 from $170 and kept an “Outperform” rating on the shares. The analyst told investors in a research note that the company’s core data warehouse market is facing intense competition, and there is uncertainty about what the Iceberg open-table format means for the company. The issue with the Iceberg’s open format is that it allows multiple platforms, not just Snowflake, to access and manage the same data seamlessly. This reduces vendor lock-in, meaning customers can switch between Snowflake and competitors more easily. While investors are deeply concerned about this issue, the positive facet is that the firm’s fieldwork has been marginally improving on Snowflake as an AI beneficiary. Moreover, it believes it has been making the right moves in investing in AI-related product innovation.
3. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78
ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), a cloud-based, AI-driven platform, enables enterprises to automate multiple management workflows. On December 7, Bank of America highlighted a couple of buy-rated stocks, stating that they are a “must-own” heading into the final weeks of 2024. One of these stocks is ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), which the firm has reiterated as a “Buy” and a top pick. According to the firm, the company’s growth businesses are firing on all cylinders. The company’s application suite, built on the Now Platform, integrates AI capabilities to enhance workflow automation and user experiences.
“ServiceNow application suite drove another solid beat and raise quarter. … .What is impressive is that incremental growth is also coming from the newer customer and employee workflow offerings delivering sustainable growth in key growth segments. This suggests ServiceNow has made the right investment in categories that are resonating with customers today and over the longer term.”
2. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) leverages advanced artificial intelligence in its autonomous driving technology and robotics initiatives. On December 9, Deutsche Bank named Tesla as a top 2025 pick, stating how the stock is well positioned in 2025. While the industry is set to face volatility under a Trump administration, the stock seems attractive for the firm. Deutsche analysts led by Tim Rokossa told clients how the company leads in autonomous driving technology. If it is successful in the execution of robotaxi rides in promised areas, the automaker will “unlock a new bar in autonomous driving that’s hard for others to replicate,” they noted. The analysts also believe that changes in [Inflation Reduction Act] or extra tariffs levied for imported parts would only strengthen Tesla’s relative competitive position.
“While there has been debate over the right approach to achieving full autonomy, our view is that true commercial success in robotaxi is achieved through end-to-end AI. As such, we believe Tesla is well positioned.”
-Deutsche Bank
1. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 128
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO), a technology company, offers custom chip offerings and networking assets that has helped it establish a strong position in the AI space. On December 9, JP Morgan analyst Harlan Sur maintained an Overweight rating on Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:AVGO) with a price target of $210. With the technology company set to report its earnings on Thursday, the firm remains bullish on the stock on the back of a strong demand profile for AI products, continued cyclical recovery in its diversified semiconductor (ex-AI) end markets, and unlocked VMWare revenue synergy.
Sur affirmed that software renewals from major corporate customers will lead to strong growth in the VMWare business, a cloud computing technology company that Broadcom acquired in November 2023. Overall, the analyst projects revenue and EPS upside for the full year, continued strong demand for AI products, and a coordinated end market recovery in its diversified semiconductor (ex-AI) end markets for fiscal year 2025. With a $30 billion pipeline of AI revenue opportunities per AI customer over the next 4-5 years, and strong VMWare momentum, Sur projects strong dividend growth and sustained AI leadership for the company.
“Broadcom is set to report October quarter (F4Q24) earnings Thursday, and we continued to see a strong demand profile for its AI products combined with continued cyclical recovery in its diversified semiconductor (ex-AI) end markets (e.g., enterprise, server/storage) and VMWare revenue synergy unlock.”
While we acknowledge the potential of AVGO as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AVGO but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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