2 Top Stocks in Quantum Computing and Robotics That Could Soar in 2025

The U.S. stock market has shown impressive growth over the past five years, with the S&P 500 achieving double-digit gains in four of those years. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced semiconductor technology has primarily driven this market boom. However, many top tech companies now have high valuations that make investors reconsider their positions.

Looking at leading companies, we see Nvidia, known for its role in the AI sector, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio above 31. Another giant, Microsoft, which is collaborating with OpenAI to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), has a forward P/E over 34. These figures are significantly higher than the S&P 500's average forward P/E of 24.1.

Because of these elevated valuations, smart investors are increasingly searching for growth possibilities in other sectors of technology. Instead of focusing solely on established AI companies, there has been a shift of investments into nearby sectors that are likely to gain from AI integration, such as energy infrastructure, enterprise software, industrial automation, high-performance computing, and robotics.

This trend makes sense. As AI technologies become more ingrained in both hardware and software, the leaders of 2025 could very well be smaller and mid-sized firms pushing innovative uses of this technology. Below are two tech stocks that appear well-positioned to benefit from the next wave of AI advancements in the coming years.

A Leader in Quantum Computing

IonQ (IONQ 12.80%) is a pioneer in the field of quantum computing, a revolutionary technology that uses quantum mechanics to tackle complicated problems that traditional supercomputers cannot handle. As of December 2024, shares in this quantum computing trailblazer have risen by an impressive 173%, fueled by growing evidence that its trapped-ion method could unleash huge commercial opportunities in this field.

According to McKinsey & Co., the quantum computing market is on track to hit $173 billion by 2040. The anticipated growth is driven mainly by quantum computing's capacity to transform areas such as drug discovery, financial modeling, cryptography, and notably, advanced AI applications.

IonQ's market cap of $7.32 billion suggests that investors have high expectations for a company which is still in the process of scaling its revenue and enhancing its core technology. However, the vast potential of quantum computing makes IonQ a compelling option for patient investors. The recent partnerships with industry leaders and government bodies highlight a strong interest in IonQ's trapped-ion technology.

In the future, quantum computing may deliver enormous value by providing solutions to long-standing scientific and engineering challenges. With a robust cash position of $382.8 million, IonQ is well-equipped to emerge as a frontrunner in this developing field.

AI-Powered Urban Delivery

Serve Robotics (SERV 15.34%) exemplifies the practical implementation of AI in daily life through its autonomous sidewalk delivery robots. The advanced AI technologies in Serve's delivery systems enable precise navigation, obstacle avoidance, and optimized routing—capabilities that continually improve as AI innovation progresses.

Serve's recent achievements underline its growth; in Q3 2024, the company raised $32.3 million, further extending its collaboration with Uber Eats to roll out 2,000 robots by the end of 2025.

Market forecasts predict that the autonomous delivery robot sector will reach $450 billion by 2030. Serve's ability to incorporate advanced AI models into its robots positions it for a notable share of this fast-expanding market.

With a market valuation of $579 million, Serve offers an attractive investment opportunity when considering its technological leadership, expanding partnership with Uber, and the massive potential in the autonomous delivery arena. The company is strategically positioned to grow, especially as AI continues to play a greater role in everyday life.

Emerging Tech Opportunities

Both IonQ and Serve Robotics present unique investment avenues tied to the growing capabilities of AI. IonQ's advancements in quantum technology could greatly enhance AI processing abilities, while Serve Robotics showcases how AI can transform everyday services like food delivery. Though both companies are early in their growth paths, they target vast markets that may yield substantial rewards for investors willing to navigate the potential short-term volatility.

stocks, quantum, AI