Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving fields in recent years, with its impact being felt across various industries.
There are various definitions of AI. One common definition according to Encyclopaedia Britannica is “the ability for a computer to perform a task commonly done by a human”. ChatGPT has been one of the most popular AI inventions of the 21st century with the ability to generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses.
There are many AI companies listed across global share markets that investors can gain exposure to and tap into a growing market trend. However, for many people, investing in individual AI companies can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Fortunately, there is an easier way to invest in AI through exchange traded Funds (ETFs).
In this blog, we will explore how you can invest in AI, like ChatGPT, through Australian-listed ETFs. These ETFs provide you with the opportunity to tap into the potential of this nascent technology without the need for extensive research and analysis.
Best AI ETFs on the ASX
There are currently four ASX-listed ETFs that provide investors with exposure to artificial intelligence and related technologies, including robotics, automation, and AI infrastructure:
- Global X ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ROBO)
- Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (RBTZ)
- Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (GXAI)
- Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (AINF)
While these ETFs provide varying levels of exposure to AI-related companies, there are currently no ASX-listed ETFs that focus exclusively on generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT. Instead, most AI ETFs invest more broadly across sectors including robotics, automation, semiconductors, cloud computing, and AI software.
RBTZ and ROBO primarily focus on robotics and automation companies that are expected to benefit from advances in AI, while GXI targets companies involved more directly in artificial intelligence development and adoption. AINF differs slightly by investing in the infrastructure that supports AI growth, including data centres, semiconductor manufacturers, cloud computing providers, and energy infrastructure.
The term “pure-play” refers to an investment that focuses narrowly on a specific industry, technology, or theme. In this context, a pure-play generative AI ETF would invest predominantly in companies whose core business is developing generative AI technologies.
Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of creating original content, such as text, images, audio, video, or code, based on patterns learned from large datasets. Examples include tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
Size
RBTZ is the biggest ETF in the category managing just over $270 million, while ROBO manages almost $250 million.
ROBO was launched in 2017 and RBTZ in 2018, while the newer ETFs. GXAI launched in 2024 and AINF launched in April 2025.
Cost
ROBO is the most expensive of the ETFs compared, charging a management fee of 0.69%, the other ETFs compared all charge 0.57% ($57 per year for every $10,000 invested).
The spreads vary amongst the ETFs compared, with RBTZ having the tightest buy/sell spread at 0.20% while AINF has the widest at 0.44%.
| TICKER CODE | Management Fee | BUY/SELL SPREADS (SLIPPAGE) |
| ROBO | 0.69% | 0.28% |
| RBTZ | 0.57% | 0.20% |
| GXAI | 0.57% | 0.24% |
| AINF | 0.57% | 0.44% |
Liquidity
Both ROBO and RBTZ have similar levels of liquidity with an average of almost $1 million traded each day. These volumes are very small in comparison to most Australian and global share ETFs, due to their niche nature.
Investment strategy
ROBO, RBTZ, GXAI, and AINF all provide exposure to artificial intelligence and related technologies, although each ETF uses a different investment approach.
ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index and uses a committee-based methodology to identify companies involved in robotics, automation, and AI-related technologies. The index is reviewed and rebalanced quarterly.
RBTZ tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, which uses a rules-based methodology to select companies involved in artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation. The index is typically rebalanced semi-annually.
GXAI provides exposure to companies involved in artificial intelligence, big data, semiconductors, cloud computing, and related technologies. It tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index.
AINF focuses on the infrastructure supporting AI growth, including companies involved in semiconductors, data centres, energy infrastructure, cloud computing, and networking equipment used to support AI workloads.
Because these ETFs track different indexes and investment themes, their holdings, sector exposures, and portfolio turnover may vary over time.
Holdings and exposure
ROBO has broader geographic diversification across US, European and Asian markets and uses an equal-weighted methodology, resulting in lower concentration and greater exposure to small and mid-cap companies. Its top 10 holdings accounted for 17.3% of the portfolio as at 31 March 2026.
RBTZ has a larger allocation to Japanese robotics and industrial automation companies, including Keyence, FANUC and Daifuku. The ETF follows a market capitalisation-weighted approach, resulting in greater concentration in larger companies such as NVIDIA, which represented 8.4% of the portfolio. The top 10 holdings accounted for 57.4% of the ETF.
GXAI is tilted towards large global technology and semiconductor companies involved in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data, including Netflix, Samsung Electronics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and NVIDIA. Its top 10 holdings represented 34.1% of the portfolio.
AINF focuses on the infrastructure supporting AI adoption, including power generation, electrical equipment, semiconductors and data centres. Key holdings include GE Vernova, Vertiv, Eaton and Schneider Electric. The top 10 holdings accounted for 50.0% of the portfolio.
| Top 10 Holdings | ROBO | RBTZ | GXAI | AINF |
| 1 | Teradyne Inc | NVIDIA Corp | Netflix Inc | GE Vernova Inc |
| 2 | Celestica Inc | ABB | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Cameco Corp |
| 3 | Intuitive Surgical Inc | Intuitive Surgical Inc | Cisco Systems Inc | Southern Copper Corp |
| 4 | Rockwell Automation Inc | Keyence Corp | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | Freeport-McMoRan Inc |
| 5 | Symbotic Inc | FANUC Corp | SK hynix Inc | Delta Electronics Inc |
| 6 | Novanta Inc | Shenzhen Inovance Technology | Apple Inc | Vertiv Holdings Co |
| 7 | IPG Photonics Corp | SMC Corp | Broadcom Inc | Antofagasta PLC |
| 8 | FANUC Corp | Daifuku Co | NVIDIA Corp | Eaton Corp PLC |
| 9 | GEA Group AG | Horizon Robotics Inc | Amazon.com Inc | ABB Ltd |
| 10 | Ambarella Inc | AeroVironment Inc | Meta Platforms Inc | Schneider Electric SE |
| Weighting in top 10 | 17.3% | 57.4% | 34.1% | 50.0% |
Performance and risk
AINF was the strongest performing AI ETF over the short term, generating 1 year returns of 54.4%. ROBO was the second best performing ETF over the 1 year period, generating returns of 20.2%.
Over the 3 year period RBTZ outperformed ROBO generating 1.5% p.a. more over the three years, while ROBO had the strongest 5 year returns with 3.7% p.a.
Nicher thematic ETFs like those that invest in AI can be quite risky and experience sharp drawdowns. For example, during 2022, RBTZ fell by as much as 46% whereas ROBO fell by 34%.
| Ticker Code | ETF Name | 1 Year Return | 3 Year Return | 5 Year Return |
| ROBO | Global X ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF | 20.2% | 6.6% | 3.7% |
| RBTZ | Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF | 4.0% | 8.1% | 2.1% |
| GXAI | Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF | 14.8% | N/A | N/A |
| AINF | Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF | 54.4% | N/A | N/A |
The ETFs differ in portfolio concentration, index history, and income distribution frequency. AINF is the most concentrated fund in the group, holding 30 stocks, which may result in higher concentration risk compared with the broader portfolios of GXAI (85 holdings), ROBO (77 holdings), and RBTZ (60 holdings). GXAI and ROBO are currently the most diversified based on number of holdings. ROBO also tracks the longest-established index, launched in August 2013, followed by RBTZ in August 2016, GXAI in May 2018, and AINF in July 2024.
While a longer index history may provide a broader track record across different market conditions, index age alone does not determine future performance or risk outcomes.
| Ticker Code | Index Name | ETF Inception Date | Index Inception Date | Dividend frequency | Number of holdings |
| ROBO | ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index | September 2017 | August 2013 | Annual | 77 |
| RBTZ | Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index | September 2018 | August 2016 | Annual | 60 |
| GXAI | Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index | April 2024 | May 2018 | Semi-annually | 85 |
| AINF | Mirae Asset AI Infrastructure Index | April 2025 | July 2024 | Semi-annually | 30 |
Conclusion and Stockspot view
Investors seeking targeted exposure to the robotics and artificial intelligence theme may prefer ETFs such as RBTZ, GXAI or AINF, which offer more concentrated exposure to AI and related technologies. However, these funds may also carry higher volatility and concentration risk due to narrower portfolios, sector tilts and thematic focus.
The ETFs also vary in maturity and investment approach. ROBO and RBTZ track indices with longer histories dating back to 2013 and 2016 respectively, while GXAI and AINF are newer entrants focused more specifically on artificial intelligence and supporting infrastructure. Newer thematic ETFs may provide exposure to emerging trends, but they also have shorter live performance histories and may behave differently across market cycles.
Overall, we believe thematic ETFs should generally make up only a small allocation within a diversified investment portfolio. The majority of a portfolio is typically better allocated to broad, low-cost index ETFs providing exposure to core asset classes such as Australian shares, international shares, bonds and gold.
While thematic ETFs can experience strong periods of performance during times of market enthusiasm, they can also be subject to sharp declines when sentiment weakens or growth expectations change. This is one of the reasons why we generally prefer diversified core investments and avoid concentrated thematic exposures.
