Why AI Could Be One of the Biggest Forces Shaping Markets in 2026
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By Neha Chamaria – Jan 12, 2026 at 3:00PM ESTKey PointsArtificial intelligence presents a generational investment opportunity.
The Motley Fool's 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report shows that 93% investors are confident in their AI exposure. AI could shape markets in 2026 as companies and investors shift focus to long-term value creation.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NYSE: EMEEMCOR GroupMarket Cap$29BToday's Changeangle-down(2.31%) $14.90Current Price$661.17Price as of January 12, 2026 at 3:58 PM ETAI in 2026: When the short-term noise clears, and long-term investors make a bet.Artificial intelligence (AI) has grown at an unprecedented pace, evolving beyond conversational tools like ChatGPT into a high-velocity, mission-critical partner driving breakthroughs across nearly every vertical. From coding and healthcare to smart infrastructure, scientific research, and quantum computing, AI is transforming how the world thinks and solves problems. 2026, however, could be a year of reckoning as the narrative shifts from possibilities to profitability. Companies will begin to face pressure to deliver tangible returns from their AI investments even as they continue to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into the AI buildout. Goldman Sachs predicts that AI companies will invest over $500 billion in 2026. Investors, meanwhile, could shrug off excitement and hype and shift their focus to companies with tangible business models that can extract maximum value from AI. Confidence in AI's transformative powers remains high, but there's a visible shift from quick wins to long-term value.
The Motley Fool's 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report found that 93% of AI investors intend to remain invested over the next year, with no plans to reduce their exposure. In fact, 36% of all respondents surveyed who already own AI stocks plan to allocate more money in the coming year, while 57% expect to maintain their current levels.Advertisement Image source: Getty Images. AI could shape markets as investor focus shifts in 2026 Investors could begin to seek exposure to AI growth without relying heavily on the S&P 500 heavyweights, such as the hyperscalers. Companies that benefit from the massive AI buildout and provide the foundational technology, therefore, could see high investor interest in 2026. Leading examples include data center builders, key network and component suppliers, and providers of power and cooling systems. Consider Emcor (EME +2.31%). Emcor stock is among the newest entrants to the S&P 500 index. Emcor provides critical infrastructure, including HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electrical, power generation, security, and fire protection, serving several industries. Data centers, however, have emerged as a major growth driver. ExpandNYSE: EMEEMCOR GroupToday's Change(2.31%) $14.90Current Price$661.17Key Data PointsMarket Cap$29BDay's Range$645.76 - $664.2552wk Range$320.88 - $778.63Volume16KAvg Vol433KGross Margin19.39%Dividend Yield0.15% In its last quarter, Emcor's remaining performance obligations (RPOs), or contracted backlog, surged 29% year over year to a record $12.6 billion. Almost 50% of that RPO growth came from network and communications, driven by data centers. Emcor's revenue and earnings also hit a record in Q3, and it recently raised its quarterly dividend payout from $0.25 to $0.40 per share. Emcor also expanded its share repurchase program by $500 million, indicating management's confidence in the company's future success. Emcor is just one example of how investors can gain exposure to AI as it shapes market forces in 2026. AI growth won't be linear, but there's no denying the generational investment opportunity. "We'll see many fits and starts in the coming quarters and years, but markets will inevitably reflect the impact of AI on productivity, GDP acceleration, and wealth creation over time," says Asit Sharma, Motley Fool AI stock analyst.About the AuthorNeha Chamaria is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering energy, industrials, utilities, and materials sectors, with a focus on dividend stocks. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neha worked on portfolio valuations for hedge funds at HSBC and authored articles as a journalist. She holds a master’s degree in finance from ICFAI and an MBA from Symbiosis University, along with certifications from the National Stock Exchange of India. Neha was honored with an all-India gold medal for her M.S. in Finance and was the first woman in her family to pursue a professional career.TMFNehamsX@nehamschamariaStocks MentionedEMCOR GroupNYSE: EME$661.17 (+0.02%) $+14.90*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.Advertisement