The Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy Now

Investor concerns surrounding OpenAI and ChatGPT have caused this blue chip tech giant to slide.Artificial intelligence (AI) is the hottest growth story in the stock market by a mile. As a result, it hasn't been easy to find AI stocks in the bargain bin. However, Microsoft (MSFT 2.10%) has taken it on the chin lately. The stock now sits more than 20% off its high, its sharpest decline in several years. What gives? Investors have raised concerns over OpenAI, in which Microsoft owns a 27% stake and partners closely. The situation has weighed so heavily on Microsoft stock that it may be time to swoop in and buy this dip. Here is why the tech giant is the best AI stock you can buy right now. Image source: Getty Images. Should investors worry about OpenAI? The company is burning through billions of dollars, which means it depends on continuously raising funds from investors to stay in business. Additionally, competitors such as Anthropic and Alphabet have eaten into OpenAI's market share. That's not a good combination. From Microsoft's perspective, the company depends heavily on OpenAI. Management disclosed during its fourth-quarter earnings that OpenAI accounts for roughly 45% of Azure's (cloud business) order backlog. In other words, if OpenAI fails, Microsoft's cloud business would implode. But OpenAI isn't throwing up its arms. The company is in talks to raise $100 billion to fund its near-term needs. ChatGPT is still the leading AI app. OpenAI is also releasing new products, including Frontier for enterprises, which allows companies to develop, deploy, and manage AI agents that can autonomously perform various tasks. OpenAI has become a risk to monitor, but it's far too early to panic. The company is just starting to open the door to some potentially massive revenue opportunities. Why Microsoft's decline is a strong buying opportunity If you look past OpenAI's drama, Microsoft just put up a pretty strong quarter. Its cloud business grew by 26% year over year to $51.5 billion, an impressive feat for such a large number. Its commercial backlog grew by 110% to $625 billion, which shows how much cloud business OpenAI is funneling to Microsoft. ExpandNASDAQ: MSFTMicrosoftToday's Change(-2.10%) $-8.67Current Price$404.60Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.1TDay's Range$401.01 - $416.3152wk Range$344.79 - $555.45Volume2.1MAvg Vol30MGross Margin68.59%Dividend Yield0.82% The stock trades at 25 times Microsoft's earnings after its recent slide. That's its lowest valuation since late 2022, before the AI era really began. Analysts estimate Microsoft's earnings will grow 14% to 15% annually over the next three to five years, and the stock should do well from these levels if the company meets those expectations. Microsoft is suddenly an unpopular AI stock, but it's probably a mistake to underestimate the tech giant's various entrenched products and services. The stock will probably bounce back once investors feel more confident in OpenAI's footing. It may be wise to buy shares before that happens.Read NextFeb 11, 2026 •By Bram BerkowitzThe "Magnificent Seven" Plan to Spend $680 Billion Largely on Artificial Intelligence Capex: Is Now the Time to Pile Into the Group?Feb 11, 2026 •By Rick OrfordPrediction: Microsoft Stock Could Rise 65% in 2026Feb 11, 2026 •By Rick OrfordCould AI Stocks Crash in 2026? Here's What History Says Happens Next.Feb 11, 2026 •By Adam SpataccoWhy Are Software Stocks Down?Feb 11, 2026 •By Adam Levy1 Unstoppable Artificial Intelligence Stock to Buy With $400 Right NowFeb 11, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsBetter AI Stock to Buy on the Dip: Micron or Microsoft?About the AuthorJustin Pope is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and industrials. Prior to The Motley Fool, Justin was a business manager for an industrial company.TMFbeardedFiStocks MentionedMicrosoftNASDAQ: MSFT$404.60 (2.10%) $8.67*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.