Be selective to maximize your AI returns

Article Excerpt

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an example of an investment idea that could boost your investment returns, or, more likely, end up costing you money. All in all, we think that the biggest, surest gains from AI will come from investing in established businesses that are already profitable and growing, and that can gain all the more by applying AI to their operations. Here are two companies that are already profitably taking advantage of AI, and they should be among the leaders in the push to extend AI’s use: TWILIO INC., $114.29, is a buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol TWLO; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.twilio.com; Shares outstanding: 171.2 million; Market cap: $17.5 billion; No dividends paid.) spends a high 30% of sales on R&D—that includes spending to expand its Twilio CustomerAI technology. The hi-tech offering combines AI with real-time customer data flowing through Twilio’s Customer Engagement Platform. That platform encompasses text messages and calls, web and mobile activity, contact centre conversations and email correspondence, Twilio CustomerAI helps companies…