In this article, we discuss 12 AI news and ratings you should not miss.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, investors are closely watching the opportunities emerging in both private and public markets. While some companies have been treated as clear winners, industry experts argue that the race is still in its early stages. Lower financial barriers for startups and increasing demand for AI-driven solutions are reshaping the competitive space, with many companies expected to gain traction in the coming years. The discussion around AI investment is growing, with venture capitalists and analysts weighing in on what the future holds.
The Evolution of AI Investment in Private and Public Markets
Rick Heitzmann, founder of FirstMark Capital, joined ‘Closing Bell’ to discuss the AI private market and investment opportunities, emphasizing that the industry is still in its early stages. He noted that while some have treated certain AI companies as definitive winners, the sector is still evolving, with both infrastructure and applications continuing to develop.
He agreed with Mark Cuban’s view, who said in an earlier interview that DeepSeek’s progress has lowered the financial barriers for AI startups, allowing more companies to compete without massive funding. The shift could lead to increased private investment and a more open playing field for smaller AI firms.
Heitzmann also addressed the lack of public AI companies, agreeing that most investment opportunities remain in private markets. While AI infrastructure firms like CoreWeave and OpenAI may go public soon, many application-layer companies are still establishing their positions. He expects more AI startups to prepare for public offerings in 2025 and 2026 as the industry matures.
For this article, we selected AI stocks by reviewing news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment taken from Insider Monkey’s database of 900 hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
12 AI News and Ratings You Should Not Miss
12. ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) develops cloud-based software solutions for different industries, including medical records, facility management, and public safety, and also manufactures drones.
On February 4, ZenaTech signed a Letter of Intent to acquire its fifth land survey engineering company in Southeast Florida, marking its second acquisition in the region. The acquisition will support the company’s drone-as-a-service (DaaS) business, which uses AI drones with advanced sensors and LiDAR technology for business and government applications. ZenaTech aims to assist border patrol and law enforcement with border protection efforts, especially in addressing illegal immigration.
The drones will improve Florida’s border security by providing real-time surveillance and improving search and rescue operations. ZenaTech’s DaaS model allows businesses and government agencies to access drones and AI-powered services on a pay-as-you-go basis, making drone technology more cost-effective and efficient for tasks like land surveying and security monitoring. The company’s strategy also includes acquiring established land survey firms with skilled surveyors and using drones to streamline land surveying processes.
11. Snow Lake Resources Ltd. (NASDAQ:LITM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 1
Snow Lake Resources Ltd. (NASDAQ:LITM) focuses on exploring and developing uranium and lithium resources.
On February 4, Snow Lake (NASDAQ:LITM) formed a strategic partnership with Exodys Energy Inc. through a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities in the nuclear energy sector. The collaboration aligns with the growing demand for domestic energy security, following a national energy emergency declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump, and the increasing energy needs of AI-driven data centers. Snow Lake aims to strengthen North American energy independence by using Exodys’ expertise in nuclear fuel recycling and advanced reactor technologies. Frank Wheatley, CEO of Snow Lake said:
“Consistent with our strategy to develop a portfolio of clean energy materials, this strategic partnership with Exodys Energy enables us to pursue opportunities in the nuclear energy sector beyond our current focus on uranium exploration, and positions us as a key player in securing North America’s energy independence.”
10. Aclarion, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACON)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 2
Aclarion, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACON) develops software for post-processing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy data and clinical decision support in healthcare.
On January 31, Aclarion announced its participation in the Selby Spine Conference, where Dr. Sigurd Berven presented NOCISCAN, the company’s AI-powered platform for diagnosing chronic low back pain. His talk, “MR Spectroscopy, Augmented Intelligence, and Low Back Pain – A New Gold Standard,” will explore how NOCISCAN detects biomarkers that are not visible on traditional MRI scans, enabling more precise, personalized treatment.
NOCISCAN uses MR Spectroscopy and AI to identify pain-associated chemical markers in lumbar discs, helping physicians distinguish between painful and nonpainful discs. As the first evidence-backed SaaS solution for spine diagnostics, it offers a noninvasive approach to managing chronic low back pain, a condition affecting millions globally.
9. VSee Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSEE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 6
VSee Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSEE) provides telehealth solutions for acute and intensive care, specializing in neurological conditions.
On February 4, VSee Health secured a $340K contract with an EAP provider to create an AI-powered electronic health record (EHR) and virtual care platform. The company’s modular approach enables rapid customization of digital health systems with integrated AI features, such as virtual scribes and automated billing. With the growing AI and EHR market, VSee is set to drive digital transformation in healthcare. Its platform is highly configurable, secure, and scalable, offering robust AI integration to streamline clinical workflows and improve patient outcomes.
8. ePlus Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 11
ePlus Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUS) provides technology solutions and services, including AI, security, cloud, and networking, to businesses worldwide.
On February 4, ePlus announced that it has expanded its Managed Services portfolio to include proactive monitoring and support for Juniper Mist wireless, wired, and SD-WAN devices. This new service uses Juniper’s Marvis AI network assistant and Premium Analytics to improve network performance, availability, and event resolution. By using AI-driven insights, ePlus helps organizations streamline IT operations, reduce downtime, and improve end-user experiences. With over a decade of collaboration, ePlus continues to deliver automated, secure, and scalable network solutions as a Juniper Elite Partner.
7. BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB) provides cybersecurity, IoT, and secure communication solutions for enterprises and governments worldwide.
On February 4, BlackBerry finalized the sale of its Cylance endpoint security assets to Arctic Wolf, following an agreement made in December 2024. BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo highlighted the deal as a significant milestone for the company, emphasizing its continued involvement as a customer, reseller, and shareholder of Arctic Wolf. With the launch of Aurora Endpoint Security, Arctic Wolf integrates Cylance’s AI-driven technology into its Aurora Platform, improving threat prevention and detection. BlackBerry’s partnership allows it to continue offering security solutions to government clients while benefiting from Arctic Wolf’s expanding cybersecurity capabilities.
6. CGI Inc. (NYSE:GIB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16
CGI Inc. (NYSE:GIB) provides IT and business process services, including consulting, system integration, and software solutions, across various industries worldwide.
On February 4, CGI announced that it has won the ACCA India Award 2024 for Excellence in Digital Transformation, recognizing its commitment to sustainable business practices and stakeholder value. The award highlights CGI DigiOps, an AI-driven service delivery framework that integrates proprietary tools like CGI SiteReliability360 and CGI ServiceInsight, along with accelerators, foundational models, and best practices to support business transformation.
CGI DigiOps improves application and infrastructure management, improving efficiency, cost savings, decision-making, and user experiences. Currently adopted across industries such as energy, utilities, and retail, it helps organizations optimize operations and navigate evolving market challenges.
5. Viavi Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
Viavi Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAV) provides network testing, monitoring, and security solutions for hyperscalers along with telecom, cloud, government, and aerospace sectors.
On February 4, VIAVI Solutions introduced XEdge, an all-in-one solution for large-scale edge network testing and monitoring. XEdge is built on a cloud-based platform with automation and AI-driven analytics, which integrates a multi-carrier RF probe and an advanced controller, allowing efficient network management across industries. It will be shown at MWC Barcelona from March 3-6, 2025. As 4G and 5G adoption grows beyond commercial networks into private, public safety, and transportation sectors, managing wireless environments remains complex. XEdge addresses these challenges by using cloud architecture, edge computing, and AI to automate SLA monitoring, reducing operational costs. It features a centralized web-based controller for remote and on-site management, along with multi-SIM, sensor-equipped devices for autonomous testing.
4. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP) provides cybersecurity solutions, including cloud, network, and endpoint protection, along with security services and training.
On February 4, Check Point Software introduced new AI-powered capabilities for its Infinity Platform to improve zero trust security, improve threat prevention, and simplify security management. Chief Product Officer Nataly Kremer highlighted the need for streamlined security solutions as organizations struggle with managing multiple systems, leading to security gaps. The latest innovations include AI-driven identity and policy management, collaborative threat prevention, and operational automation. Some important features such as Quantum Policy Insights, Infinity Playblocks, and Infinity AI Copilot help organizations enforce security policies, automate threat responses, and optimize security infrastructure. These advancements aim to improve efficiency and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.
3. Alight, Inc. (NYSE:ALIT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40
Alight, Inc. (NYSE:ALIT) delivers cloud-based human capital and business solutions, including benefits administration, payroll, and consulting services.
On February 4, Alight, Inc. released its first major 2025 update for Alight Worklife, improving AI-powered benefits, health, wealth, and absence management solutions. The update integrates Alight Worklife with Microsoft Teams, enabling seamless access to benefits, AI-driven recommendations, and a virtual assistant.
AI enhancements include an upgraded Employer Reporting and Analytics platform powered by Alight LumenAI, expanded AI automation for claims processing, and a broader range of supported claim types. Additional features include Alight IRA for retirement savings, a Life Event Verification solution, multilingual reimbursement account support, improved provider search, and streamlined leave claim tracking. API integration between LeavePro and Workday ensures faster, more accurate leave claim decisions.
2. ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60
ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANSS) provides engineering simulation software and services for product design, analysis, and optimization across various industries worldwide.
On February 4, Ansys 2025 R1 introduced expanded AI, cloud, and data-driven capabilities to improve collaboration and streamline digital engineering. The release includes updates to Ansys SimAI for improved training data insights, System Architecture Modeler with SysML v2 support, and CFD HPC Ultimate for advanced computational fluid dynamics. Better physics solvers, GPU-accelerated simulations, and AI-driven tools improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency in design and analysis. New features in MBSE and data management optimize workflows, while cloud-based solutions enable faster simulations and broader accessibility. These advancements help teams reduce costs, accelerate development, and improve engineering outcomes.
1. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 279
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) provides AI-powered cloud, productivity, and business solutions, focusing on efficiency, security, and AI advancements.
On February 2, TipRanks reported that CMB International Securities analyst Saiyi He maintained a Buy rating on Microsoft, setting a price target of $503.10. He highlighted strong revenue growth, particularly in AI and cloud services, with Azure AI exceeding expectations. Despite challenges in non-AI cloud services, the company’s productivity segment showed significant margin growth, and its strategic investments in AI position it well for future opportunities.
While we acknowledge the potential of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that 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 MSFT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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