Is that this FTSE 100 behemoth a no brainer AI inventory?

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On the floor, the FTSE 100 is severely underrepresented in the case of synthetic intelligence shares. The index is filled with ‘dinosaur stocks’ in sectors like oil, tobacco and mining somewhat than pioneering tech firms on the forefront of AI.

This might be an issue if this thrilling know-how lives as much as the claims of being transformative to our economic system and lifestyle. An investor trying to benefit from the AI revolution ought to look elsewhere, proper?

Why giant language fashions?

Not so quick!

Whereas a few of the fundamental gamers in AI are massive tech corporations like Nvidia, Alphabet or Palantir, the businesses which may profit essentially the most from it may not be those producing the chips or the algorithms in any respect. And due to their lack of direct involvement, the shares might be undervalued at present.

There are maybe quite a lot of shares that match the invoice right here, however the one I’m interested by at present is AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN). The £220bn market cap pharma big has been making headlines already in 2026. The agency lately acquired Boston-based Modella AI whose ‘AI agents’ can be utilized to assist oncology analysis.

Why can AI assist prescribed drugs firms? Drug discovery is the principle benefit. Sifting by way of huge portions of knowledge is AI’s forte, and this will help establish potential drug targets. Speedier discovery will help massive firms discover these ‘blockbuster drugs’ that assist hundreds of thousands of sufferers and bump up the underside line.

The journey from drug discovery to launch is an extended one. So the fruits of the introduction of AI may not be felt for 5 to 10 years. On this vein, CEO Pascal Soriot has set an $80bn goal for AstraZeneca’s income by 2030. Due to this fact that is the type of long-term play that we wish to intention for right here at The Motley Idiot.

Upcoming years

What are the negatives right here? Properly, it’s an costly and ruthlessly aggressive area. We’ve seen this with the so-called weight problems race the place drug producers have been clamouring to get appetite-suppressing medicine out to a really hungry market (pun supposed).

AstraZeneca is lagging behind Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk on this space. Though the current take care of CSPC Prescribed drugs to make use of an AI-driven platform to develop weight reduction medicine could be one other instance the place synthetic intelligence helps the enterprise.

One other potential draw back is the valuation. AstraZeneca has confirmed itself to be one of many bona fide FTSE 100 development shares. It’s now (relying on the day) generally the biggest Footsie firm and is buying and selling at 30 instances earnings. Fairly costly for London’s main index!

To sum up? We’re within the very early phases of synthetic intelligence. Over the following decade, we might see some drastic adjustments within the fortunes of many companies utilizing the know-how. I believe AstraZeneca has an actual probability of being one of many winners. Perhaps not a no brainer however I’d say it’s value consideration.