RBC iShares: How Can Investors Capture AI Growth Beyond Big Tech Stocks?

Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock, explores how artificial intelligence investment opportunities are expanding beyond mega-cap technology stocks and across the global AI value chain.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform global industries, investment opportunities are extending beyond the handful of mega-cap technology companies that have dominated early AI growth. According to Jay Jacobs of BlackRock, investors should consider the entire AI value chain, including semiconductors, data centres, power infrastructure, large language models, proprietary data and companies developing AI-powered applications.

From memory chips and processors powering AI applications to businesses using AI to develop new products, the next phase of AI growth could create opportunities across industries and global markets.

BlackRock views AI as a long-term investment theme with significant economic potential. Jacobs discusses how the actively managed iShares AI Innovation and Tech ETF (XBAI) provides exposure to companies across the global AI ecosystem, using active portfolio management to identify opportunities as the technology evolves.

For more information on RBC iShares, (TSX: XBAI) please click the request investor info button.

‍

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The RBC iShares alliance includes RBC ETFs managed by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. and iShares ETFs managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited ("BlackRock Canada"). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any security holder that would have reduced returns. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

The iShares ETFs are not connected, sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index Services, Limited ("Bloomberg"), Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc., London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings ("LSE Group", ICE Data Indices, LLC., ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, Jantzi Research Inc., Markit Indices Limited, Morningstar, Inc., MSCI Inc., MSCI ESG Research and Bloomberg, NASDAQ OMX Group Inc., NYSE FactSet or S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. ("S&P"). None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares ETFs. BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited is not affiliated with the companies listed above. The Prospectus contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship the companies have with BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and any related ETFs.

® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. iSHARES is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc., or its affiliates. Used under licence.

© 2026 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and RBC Global Asset Management Inc. All rights reserved.

MKTG1126-MH-6058707-EXP1127