AI's Trillion-Dollar Potential: Which Tech Giants Are Next in Line?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the next generation of trillion-dollar companies, with Nvidia currently leading as the world’s most valuable firm at a market cap of $4.39 trillion. Now, the focus shifts to which tech giants could be the next to join this elite club.

Samsung Nears the Trillion-Dollar Mark

South Korea’s Samsung is the closest contender, with a current market cap of $772.8 billion. The company has seen its stock surge 217% over the past year, driven by the increasing demand for memory chips used in AI applications. Samsung’s Q4 2025 operating profit nearly tripled compared to Q4 2024, and RAM prices are expected to rise by up to 50% in Q1 2026, further boosting its prospects.

Micron Technology Sees Explosive Growth

Idaho-based Micron Technology, valued at $469.5 billion, is also capitalizing on the memory shortage. The company’s revenue increased by 57% year over year in its first fiscal quarter of 2026, and its net income surged 180%. While it has further to go than Samsung, Micron’s strong performance positions it well for future growth.

ASML Monopolizes Advanced Semiconductor Production

Netherlands-based ASML, with a market cap of $542 billion, holds a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, essential for producing advanced semiconductors. ASML’s full-year 2025 results show a 20.6% increase in revenue and a 32.4% rise in net income. Orders for new lithography machines grew by 48%, from 18.89 million in 2024 to 28 million in 2025, indicating robust demand.

Industry Context and Implications

The AI boom is reshaping the tech industry, with companies that can provide the necessary hardware and infrastructure seeing significant gains. As AI continues to evolve, the demand for high-performance computing, memory, and advanced semiconductors will only increase, providing a fertile ground for these tech giants to grow.

References

• Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) Creating the Next Generation of Trillion-Dollar Stocks? | The Motley Fool