AI Stocks To Watch As Chip Demand Lifts Software Growth

Taiwan’s recent Q2 GDP revision higher, helped by AI related chip output, shows how quickly capital is flowing toward companies at the center of the ChatGPT and AI build out. Investors who wait risk watching this wave from the sidelines instead of participating in it. This article highlights 3 AI stocks from our screener that sit in the slipstream of this spending surge.

The three stocks below are a sample of what this AI theme looks like in practice. The full screen surfaced 16 more companies tied into the ChatGPT and broader AI build out that are not covered here but carry similarly detailed narratives. If you want to identify and analyze the highest conviction angles in this space, head straight into the Artificial Intelligence/ AI Stocks screener.

SEEK (ASX:SEK)

SEEK is an online employment marketplace that connects job seekers with employers across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and selected global markets, and also sells HR software and recruitment tools. It generates most of its revenue from Employment Marketplaces in ANZ at about A$945 million, with a smaller but meaningful contribution of about A$254 million from Employment Marketplaces in Asia. The company currently has a market cap of roughly A$5.4b.

SEEK provides exposure to the shift toward AI powered recruitment, where features such as advanced ad targeting, verified profiles and integrated platforms like Sidekicker and JobAdder are central to how employers find talent. Analysts have highlighted the potential for earnings to improve as AI tools and the Asian freemium model mature, even after a recent year where revenue of A$1,284.2 million was accompanied by a net loss of A$371.3 million. The risk is that this AI and Asia focused strategy also needs to counterbalance high debt, ongoing losses and softer job ad volumes in core ANZ markets. For investors assessing whether that trade off is appropriate, SEEK may be worth monitoring.

SEEK’s push into AI powered recruitment could be masking a much bigger story about how its losses, debt and Asia exposure all fit together. Get the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

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SEEK and the two other stocks in this article all came from a single Simply Wall St screen, but the real edge is in shaping your own filters. Use our flexible Screener to mix valuation, growth, balance sheet and risk checks, or tap into our curated Investing Ideas for ready made starting points.

Xero (ASX:XRO)

Xero runs a cloud platform that helps small businesses manage accounting, payroll, payments and tax filings, supported by tools like Planday, Hubdoc, Syft and Melio. It effectively has one main revenue stream, providing online solutions for small businesses and their advisors, which generated about NZ$2.8b in revenue. Xero is a large player in this space with a market cap of roughly A$13.9b.

Investors looking at AI powered business software may consider Xero as a potential option to research further. The company combines a high margin subscription model with tools that plug directly into how small businesses run their finances. New AI features in areas such as analytics, benchmarks and automated workflows are intended to deepen usage. At the same time, profitability is still bedding in, with net profit margins softening, low Return on Equity and external funding making the story more sensitive to execution. Recent integrations with Microsoft 365, Anthropic and platforms like Fresha and Melio show how Xero is working to turn its data and partner network into something potentially more valuable than the current share price suggests, but this is likely to be most relevant for investors who look beyond the headline P/E and recent downgrade.

Xero’s high margin subscriptions and fresh AI partnerships could be reshaping what its earnings profile really means for investors. Get the analyst forecasts for Xero and see how the story shifts once you factor in one underappreciated swing factor.

CAR Group (ASX:CAR)

CAR Group runs online vehicle marketplaces and related data and software services, helping buyers, sellers, and dealers connect, advertise and transact across Australia and key international markets. It generates most of its revenue in Australia at about A$518 million, with sizeable contributions from North America at about A$327 million and Latin America at about A$253 million, plus smaller but growing operations in Asia and Investments that add roughly A$145 million and A$11 million respectively. The company is a large player in its space with a market cap of about A$11.4b.

CAR Group may be worth a closer look if you want AI to be doing real work inside a business rather than just appearing in slide decks. The company is weaving AI into inspections, lead management and customer journeys, which is associated with solid earnings growth, high margins and recent FY2026 results that indicate resilient demand and rising profitability. At the same time, you are paying a premium valuation and taking on higher financial risk due to a debt heavy balance sheet and a dividend that is not fully covered by earnings. For investors who can live with that trade off, a key consideration is whether CAR Group’s AI and data ecosystem can stay ahead of fast moving competitors and changing auto trends such as EVs and new mobility models.

CAR Group’s AI engine could be doing far more heavy lifting than the headline multiples suggest, particularly with that debt load sitting in the background. See how the full picture shifts once you read the 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Curious About Alternative AI Opportunities

Fresh ideas move first, not last. New themes can pick up momentum quickly while older trades feel caught and tired. Scan these under the radar lists before the crowd and consider them for your watchlist.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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