Top 10 next-gen tech ETFs to watch in 2026

These ETFs hold companies working across artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, quantum computing and autonomous vehicles. Nine of the ten funds on this list aim to track a named index. ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF ($ARKQ) takes an active approach instead, selecting stocks around an industrial innovation theme rather than following a set benchmark.

How we built this list: We selected these funds based on their industry or investment category and ordered them by assets under management. Prices are updated daily, and the list and supporting content are reviewed roughly every quarter. All data is sourced from Stake. This list isn't a recommendation and isn't ordered by suitability.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Source: Stake market data. Figures in US$. Data updated as of 3 August 2026.

Looking to invest in AI ETFs?

Sign up in minutes and get access to a CHESS-sponsored platform, where you can explore AI ETFs and more.

Open an account

1. Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF ($AIQ)

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) share price over the last year: started at US$44.33, ended at US$60.57, a change of +36.6%. Range over the period: high US$70.14, low US$43.88. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$60.57 · Daily: 2.9% · AUM: US$9.74B · MER: 0.68%

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF ($AIQ) aims to track the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, which follows companies involved in developing and using artificial intelligence and big data. That scope takes in both the technology builders and the businesses deploying AI capabilities across their operations. The fund holds assets in US dollars and carries no currency hedge, so AUD/USD rate movements will feed through to its value in Australian dollar terms.

$AIQ's management expense ratio (MER) is 0.68%. The fund is designed to track its benchmark passively, aiming to mirror the index composition rather than making active stock selections. That means the Indxx index's own criteria for what qualifies as an AI or big data company determines what the portfolio holds.

2. Defiance Quantum ETF ($QTUM)

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) share price over the last year: started at US$92.26, ended at US$145.99, a change of +58.2%. Range over the period: high US$168.76, low US$91.60. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$145.99 · Daily: 3.4% · AUM: US$5.39B · MER: 0.40%

Defiance Quantum ETF ($QTUM) aims to track the BlueStar Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Index. The index is built from a modified equal-weighted portfolio of companies whose products or services are predominantly tied to quantum computing and machine learning technology. Equal weighting spreads the portfolio across its constituents rather than tilting heavily toward the largest names by market capitalisation.

The fund trades in US dollars, so Australian dollar investors carry currency exposure between AUD and USD. Because the index applies equal weighting rather than weighting by company size, smaller companies in the quantum computing and machine learning space get more representation than they would in a market-cap-weighted structure.

3. iShares Future AI & Tech ETF ($ARTY)

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) share price over the last year: started at US$43.13, ended at US$68.91, a change of +59.8%. Range over the period: high US$80.75, low US$41.29. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$68.91 · Daily: 3.4% · AUM: US$3.61B · MER: 0.47%

Built around the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index, iShares Future AI & Tech ETF ($ARTY) is designed to capture equity securities with exposure to artificial intelligence technologies. The index draws from both US and non-US companies that provide products or services expected to contribute to AI development. Because $ARTY holds international stocks, the fund's AUD value can move with currency fluctuations between the Australian dollar and the currencies of its underlying holdings.

4. Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF ($BOTZ)

Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) share price over the last year: started at US$33.97, ended at US$35.93, a change of +5.8%. Range over the period: high US$41.63, low US$31.99. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$35.93 · Daily: 2.0% · AUM: US$3.40B · MER: 0.68%

Robotics and artificial intelligence companies from around the world make up the portfolio of Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF ($BOTZ), which aims to track the INDXX Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index. Because $BOTZ holds international companies, its performance carries exposure to currency movements between the Australian dollar and the currencies of those underlying holdings. The fund's 80% investment policy is non-fundamental, which means shareholders receive 60 days' written notice before that policy can be changed.

5. ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF ($ROBO)

ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO) share price over the last year: started at US$63.04, ended at US$81.19, a change of +28.8%. Range over the period: high US$90.34, low US$62.34. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$81.19 · Daily: 2.4% · AUM: US$2.02B · MER: 0.95%

ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF ($ROBO) aims to track the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index, which is designed to measure the performance of companies involved in robotics and automation. The fund is required to hold at least 80% of its assets in securities drawn from that index. Because $ROBO is priced in USD, Australian dollar investors carry exposure to movements between the AUD and the US dollar.

6. ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF ($ARKQ)

ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) share price over the last year: started at US$98.03, ended at US$118.62, a change of +21.0%. Range over the period: high US$143.82, low US$95.28. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$118.62 · Daily: 3.1% · AUM: US$1.90B · MER: 0.75%

Active stock selection sits at the heart of ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF ($ARKQ), with its portfolio concentrated in the industrials and information technology sectors. The fund's stated aim is long-term capital growth, built around an industrial innovation theme. Because it holds both domestic and foreign equities, the portfolio carries currency exposure relative to the Australian dollar.

7. Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF ($IGPT)

Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF (IGPT) share price over the last year: started at US$50.64, ended at US$89.51, a change of +76.8%. Range over the period: high US$108.11, low US$49.36. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$89.51 · Daily: 3.2% · AUM: US$1.14B · MER: 0.57%

The Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF ($IGPT) aims to track the STOXX World AC NexGen Software Development Index, targeting companies with direct revenue exposure to the technologies driving future software development. The 'AC' in the index name stands for all countries, so the portfolio reaches beyond any single region rather than concentrating on one market.

The fund's mandate requires at least 90% of its assets to sit in securities with that kind of direct software-development revenue link. Because the underlying holdings are denominated in various currencies, the fund's returns in Australian dollars will also move with shifts between the AUD and those currencies.

8. First Trust Nasdaq AI and Robotics ETF ($ROBT)

First Trust Nasdaq AI and Robotics ETF (ROBT) share price over the last year: started at US$50.11, ended at US$56.32, a change of +12.4%. Range over the period: high US$60.28, low US$44.32. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$56.32 · Daily: 2.4% · AUM: US$739.0M · MER: 0.66%

First Trust Nasdaq AI and Robotics ETF ($ROBT) aims to track the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, which is designed to cover companies involved in artificial intelligence and robotics across technology, industrial and other sectors. That scope pulls in a mix of industry types rather than concentrating purely on software or pure-play tech names.

Because the underlying holdings are priced in foreign currencies, the fund carries currency exposure relative to the Australian dollar – movements in the AUD against those currencies will influence returns for Australian investors. The fund charges a 0.66% management expense ratio.

9. WisdomTree AI and Innovation Fund ($WTAI)

WisdomTree AI and Innovation Fund (WTAI) share price over the last year: started at US$25.31, ended at US$39.96, a change of +57.9%. Range over the period: high US$48.35, low US$24.90. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$39.96 · Daily: 3.9% · AUM: US$641.9M · MER: 0.45%

Centred on a single investment theme, WisdomTree AI and Innovation Fund ($WTAI) aims to track the WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Index. That index is designed to cover equity securities of companies from markets around the world involved in artificial intelligence and innovation. The thematic construction means $WTAI draws in companies tied to that idea rather than targeting a fixed geography or traditional sector classification.

Because the underlying holdings come from multiple markets globally, the fund carries currency exposure relative to the Australian dollar. Currency movements between the AUD and the currencies of those underlying holdings can affect returns in Australian dollar terms.

10. Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF ($DRIV)

Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV) share price over the last year: started at US$24.01, ended at US$33.89, a change of +41.1%. Range over the period: high US$42.53, low US$24.01. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$33.89 · Daily: 1.4% · AUM: US$384.2M · MER: 0.68%

Two themes in transport define the index at the heart of Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF ($DRIV): electric vehicle development and autonomous driving systems. The fund aims to track the Solactive Autonomous & Electric Vehicles Index, which covers exchange-listed companies involved in either area – or both.

A company working solely on EVs qualifies, as does one focused purely on autonomous systems. The index doesn't require involvement in both. $DRIV is designed to correspond to that index's price and yield performance, before fees and expenses.

Common questions

How do I invest in next-gen tech ETFs in Australia?

All ten funds in this list trade on U.S. exchanges, so you'll need a platform with U.S. market access to buy them. They're priced in USD, which means AUD is converted at the point of purchase, and movements between the two currencies affect the value of your holdings in Australian dollar terms. You search the ticker on a U.S.-capable trading platform and they trade like any other U.S.-listed security.

What are the key risks of next-gen tech ETFs?

These funds concentrate on technology and innovation themes, so sector concentration is a material risk – a broad tech downturn affects most holdings at once. Many underlying companies are earlier-stage or development-focused, which adds company-specific risk on top of general market swings. All ten funds here are U.S.-listed and priced in USD, leaving Australian investors exposed to AUD/USD currency movements with no built-in hedging. Thematic funds also hold fewer sectors than a broad index, so underperformance in a single theme is felt more acutely.

How do the sub-themes in this list differ?

The funds cover several distinct technology areas: AI and big data broadly, quantum computing and machine learning, robotics and automation, and autonomous and electric vehicles. Some funds blend multiple themes – combining AI with software development or industrial robotics – while others, like $QTUM and $DRIV, follow tighter mandates within a single area. Two funds both labelled "AI" can hold very different company mixes depending on how their underlying index defines the theme.

How do fees compare across these funds?

Annual fees – measured as the management expense ratio, or MER – run from 0.40% for $QTUM to 0.95% for $ROBO. MER is deducted from the fund's assets each year, so a spread of that size compounds meaningfully over a long holding period.

Disclaimer

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. When you invest, your capital is at risk. You should consider your own investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs before making an investment decision. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may receive back less than your original investment. As always, do your own research and consider seeking appropriate financial advice before investing.

This is not personal financial advice nor a recommendation to invest in the securities listed. Any advice provided by Stake is of general nature only and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Trading and volume data from the Stake investing platform is for reference purposes only, the investment choices of others may not be appropriate for your needs and is not a reliable indicator of performance.

Please refer to hellostake.com/pricing for the fees that apply. When you trade securities priced in another currency, currency conversion fees may apply and movements in the exchange rate may affect your returns.

Stake Desk

The freshest market insights

This article combines AI and human review from our analysts to bring you accurate, informative investing content at speed. For questions or suggestions, contact stakedesk@stake.com.au.