Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword anymore — it’s reshaping industries in ways that feel both exciting and, honestly, a bit wild. As AI applications multiply, three companies stand out, each tackling a critical piece of the puzzle: digital infrastructure, energy supply, and optical connectivity. These businesses might be the hidden gems investors want to watch closely.
Applied Digital: Building the Backbone for AI’s Data Deluge
Let’s start with the unsung hero behind AI’s rising tide — the infrastructure that keeps it all humming. Applied Digital is quietly transforming data centers into AI powerhouses. This $1.5 billion firm is focused on designing and running digital infrastructure specialized for high-performance computing and cloud services. Their secret weapon? A liquid-cooled facility that’s about to go live, aiming to handle the intense heat and power demands of AI workloads.
The numbers speak volumes. Despite the stock dipping a bit this year, revenue from cloud services shot up a staggering 220% in their last quarter. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. They’ve also secured a hefty $375 million financing deal with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and have a framework for up to $5 billion in potential funding from Macquarie Asset Management to speed things up.
Applied Digital’s negotiating with major U.S. hyperscalers, which means some of the biggest cloud giants could soon be customers. If that pans out, this company could be the “picks and shovels” supplier in the AI gold rush. Think of it like this: while everyone’s chasing the flashy AI software, Applied Digital is quietly building the roads and power plants behind the scenes.
Oklo: Nuclear Energy’s Quiet Comeback Powering AI’s Future
Now, here’s a curveball — nuclear energy. Oklo might not be the first name you associate with AI, but the connection is real and intriguing. AI-driven data centers gulp down vast amounts of electricity, and stable, affordable power is gold. Oklo’s approach to nuclear is refreshingly nimble — small, scalable reactors that can be deployed faster and with less risk than traditional nuclear plants.
Oklo’s market cap is sitting comfortably at $5.2 billion, and its shares are up 77% this year alone. Investors are clearly betting on their “build, own, operate” model that locks in long-term power contracts, delivering steady revenue rather than volatile commodity pricing. Plus, political winds are blowing favorably: Energy Secretary Chris Wright is championing what he calls an American nuclear renaissance, and Oklo has a foot in the door with the Defense Department’s Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program.
With $261 million in cash, Oklo is set to push commercialization by late 2027 or early 2028. If AI data centers continue to expand, the demand for reliable, emission-free energy will only grow, putting Oklo in a strong spot to power that future.
Poet Technologies: The Optical Link That AI Can’t Live Without
Finally, there’s Poet Technologies — a smaller player but one packed with potential. They’re making chips that combine photonics and electronics, creating super-efficient optical connectivity solutions essential for AI systems and hyperscale data centers. Why is this so important? AI demands incredibly high bandwidth to shuttle massive data between chips and servers, and traditional copper wiring just can’t keep up.
Though Poet’s stock is down about 26% this year, the company is on the brink of commercial success. They’ve moved production to a spacious clean room in Malaysia and already shipped advanced modules to three big tech companies. Their latest tech, like the Poet Teralight 1.6T optical engine and Poet Blazar light source, was recently unveiled at a major conference — a sign they’re serious about scaling up.
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Optical interconnect markets are projected to grow sharply in the next few years, driven by AI’s insatiable hunger for data speed.
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CEO Suresh Venkatesan has hinted that meaningful revenue gains could come as early as this year.
Here’s a quick glance at the companies discussed:
| Company | Market Cap | YTD Stock Change | Core Focus | Recent Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Digital | $1.5 billion | -10% | AI infrastructure & HPC | 220% revenue surge in cloud services Q3 FY25 |
| Oklo | $5.2 billion | +77% | Compact nuclear reactors | $261 million cash, strong policy support |
| Poet Technologies | $383 million | -26% | Optical connectivity chips | Production shift to Malaysia, new product rollout |
What This Means for Investors Now
So, what should folks keep in mind? Well, these three companies highlight different yet critical layers of AI’s ecosystem — from raw computing power, to steady energy supply, to the ultra-fast data highways between machines. While big AI software names often steal the spotlight, the real money could be in the infrastructure that enables all this tech to work.
Yes, there’s risk. Markets are jittery, valuations can be wild, and the road to mainstream adoption is never smooth. But, when you look at the rapid growth, solid financing, and unique tech each company brings, they’re worth more than a casual glance.
Are you ready to watch these three stocks as AI continues to shape tomorrow? The groundwork is already being laid, and it’s happening right now.
