Hi there! If you’ve just watched my video on how to invest in AI and technology with ETFs, welcome. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it here:
This article is for anyone who wants to get exposure to AI, robotics, or emerging tech, but without needing to guess which company will win or worrying about jumping in at the perfect moment. Whether you’re brand new to investing or looking to add some AI to your existing portfolio, I’ll walk you through exactly how I’m approaching it, what ETFs I’ve looked into, and how you can start in a way that suits your goals.
Just like how I normally invest, I try to stay diversified, keep it simple, and make sure it fits in with my overall plan.
How I invest in AI (without betting it all on one company)
Everyone’s talking about AI right now. ChatGPT, robot dogs doing flips, self-driving cars, it feels like the future is already here. But while AI is everywhere in the news, it can be hard to figure out how to actually invest in it. Should you just buy Nvidia and hope for the best? What if the next big thing is a company no one’s heard of yet? And what if that company doesn’t even make it past next year? That’s why I don’t invest in individual AI stocks. Instead, I use ETFs. They let me invest in the AI space without needing to guess which company is going to win. Here’s how I do it and how you can too.
Why I don’t just pick individual AI companies
Let’s be honest. Investing in AI sounds exciting, but it can also be stressful. Sure, Nvidia’s booming right now, but what about next year? What about the next Nvidia? Investing in one company is kind of like choosing just one flavor of ice cream for the rest of your life. It might be great, but there’s a good chance you’ll get tired of it or something better will come along. That’s why I prefer ETFs. With one investment, I get access to dozens or even hundreds of companies involved in AI, robotics, cybersecurity and tech. It means I don’t have to worry about picking the "right" company and I get way more diversification.
A few years ago, I tried buying individual tech stocks. Some went up quickly, others dropped just as fast. I found myself constantly checking prices, second-guessing my decisions, and feeling a bit burnt out. That’s when I realised I didn’t want investing to feel like a part-time job. I wanted something more passive, more reliable, and more in line with my long-term goals. ETFs gave me that.
My personal ETF strategy
I like to keep things simple and balanced. My portfolio is split between core ETFs and a smaller "spicy" portion that includes more niche areas like AI and crypto. Here’s how I split it: 90% of my portfolio is in broad-market ETFs: VETH (Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF) and VESG (Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares ETF). These give me access to hundreds of companies across Australia and globally. They’re low-cost, diversified and ethical, which is really important to me. 10% of my portfolio is for growth and trends. This includes crypto, thematic ETFs, and sometimes individual stocks (but only ones I’ve researched properly). For AI, I’ve invested in HACK , which focuses on global cybersecurity companies, and I keep an eye on other ETFs like RBTZ and AIQ too.
This split helps me stay consistent without losing sleep. The broad-market ETFs do most of the heavy lifting in my portfolio. They grow slowly and steadily over time. The other 10 percent is where I get to explore trends I believe in, like AI and clean tech. I treat that portion more like a long-term "experiment", but one that’s still backed by research and strategy.
ETFs with AI exposure
If you want to invest in AI without directly picking companies, here are the top ETFs I think are worth looking into. These aren’t recommendations, just what I’ve come across in my own research.
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AIQ
(NASDAQ) – Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF. This one’s all about AI and tech. It includes companies like Nvidia, Meta, Oracle and Samsung. It has 86 holdings, a 0.68% management fee and is US listed on the NASDAQ. It’s definitely one of the more AI-focused options, so it comes with more risk. But if you want pure AI exposure, this is one to check out.
Official page - https://www.globalxetfs.com/funds/aiq
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RBTZ
(ASX) – BetaShares Global Robotics and AI ETF. This ETF focuses on companies building robots, automation and using AI in real-world ways like self-driving tech and drones. It has 103 holdings, a 0.57% fee and is Australian listed. I like that this one gives access to Japanese, US and Swiss companies, not just US tech.
Official page - https://www.betashares.com.au/fund/global-robotics-and-artificial-intelligence-etf/
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HACK
(ASX) – BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF Cybersecurity is a huge part of the AI world, and this ETF invests in leading security tech companies like CrowdStrike and Fortinet. It has 35 holdings, a 0.67% fee and is Australian listed. I’ve personally invested in HACK because I believe cybersecurity will only get more important as AI grows.
Official page - https://www.betashares.com.au/fund/global-cybersecurity-etf/
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NDQ
(ASX) – NASDAQ 100 ETF. This one’s not just AI, but it includes many of the biggest players like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia and Amazon. It has 100 holdings, a 0.48% fee and is Australian listed. This is a broader tech ETF and could be part of a core portfolio too.
Official page - https://www.betashares.com.au/fund/nasdaq-100-etf/
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VGS
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VESG
(ASX) – Vanguard Global Shares ETFs. These ETFs give you broad exposure to global markets, including AI companies like Nvidia, Meta and Microsoft. The VESG version also excludes fossil fuels, weapons and tobacco, which I personally prefer. They hold over 1,500 companies (VGS), have a 0.18% fee and are Australian listed.
Official VGS page - https://www.vanguard.com.au/personal/invest-with-us/etf?portId=8212
Official VESG page - https://www.vanguard.com.au/adviser/invest/etf?portId=8225
AI in popular ETFs
This article is for anyone who wants to get exposure to AI, robotics, or emerging tech, but without needing to guess which company will win or worrying about jumping in at the perfect moment. It's also helpful if you're not sure whether you're already exposed to AI through the ETFs you own and want to understand how to manage or build on that exposure more intentionally. Whether you’re brand new to investing or looking to add some AI to your existing portfolio, I’ll walk you through exactly how I’m approaching it, what ETFs I’ve looked into, and how you can start in a way that suits your goals.
Just like how I normally invest, I try to stay diversified, keep it simple, and make sure it fits in with my overall plan.
What I watch out for
Before I invest in any ETF, especially a more focused one like AI or technology, I always check a few key things: the fees, how diversified it is, whether it’s listed in Australia or overseas, if it pays dividends or is more growth-focused, and how much of the interest around it is just hype.
Niche ETFs often cost more. That’s not always a bad thing, but I want to make sure I’m getting value. Just because you own multiple ETFs doesn’t mean you’re truly diversified since many hold the same top companies like Apple and Nvidia (this is often referenced as ETF overlap ). Some ETFs like AIQ are US-listed, so I need to convert AUD and fill out tax forms like the W-8BEN . Check out this Pearler article on the implications of buying US shares . Others are listed in Australia, which is simpler. Some ETFs focus on growth and pay little or no dividends, while others offer regular income. I personally like a mix, but it depends on your goals.
It’s so easy to feel FOMO when something’s trending, especially with flashy headlines and social media posts. But I always come back to my personal values and long-term strategy. AI might be hot right now, but I invest in it because I believe it will continue transforming industries for years to come, not just because it’s in the news. That’s just my personal take, so it’s really important to think about how you see technology shaping the future before deciding if it’s the right fit for your own investments.
How I stay informed
One of the most important parts of my investing journey has been learning along the way. When I first started, I didn’t know what an ETF was or how to compare different funds. But I made a decision early on to keep learning, even if it was just one small thing at a time.
Now, I make it a habit to read PDS documents (that’s the Product Disclosure Statement), check ETF fact sheets, and look at the actual holdings in each fund (you can find all of these in the official page links above). I want to know what I’m buying, not just rely on the name or marketing. For example, if a fund says it’s focused on AI, I’ll check whether it actually holds companies that are developing AI or just big tech names that happen to be trending.
I also stay up to date by following newsletters (like... need to Ask Queenie) , listening to finance podcasts (Pearler has two great ones you can listen to GRSC and Aussie FIRE), and occasionally watching interviews or industry commentary. Some of my favourite sources break things down in simple language, which helps make even complex topics feel less intimidating.
If I ever come across an ETF or investment that I don’t fully understand, I don’t rush in. I wait, do more research, and ask questions if I need to. The goal isn’t to be perfect, but to feel confident and clear about what I’m investing in. That way, when the market moves (which it always does), I’m less likely to panic or second-guess my decisions.
How to start investing in AI
If you’re just getting started, you don’t need to go all in. Start small and build up over time. Choose ETFs that match your risk tolerance and goals. Use a platform like Pearler to keep things simple. I’ve been using them for years, and you can even invest in US-listed ETFs directly from the app. And if you use my code QUEENIE , you’ll get a $20 credit to kick things off.
Final Thoughts
AI is one of the most exciting trends right now, and I love that ETFs make it easier to get involved without needing to be a tech expert or pick the next unicorn stock. Just remember, for me, the goal isn’t to chase hype but it’s to invest in what you believe in, diversify, and stay consistent. The goal isn’t to be perfect. You don’t need to catch every trend at the exact right moment. The goal is to build a portfolio that reflects your values, fits your lifestyle, and supports your future. AI is just one piece of that puzzle.
If it’s something you care about and believe in, ETFs can be a smart way to get started. And if you want to explore more ETF options, check out my full video where I break down the top funds in even more detail. Thanks for reading, and if you made it this far, drop a comment i'll try to answer them for you!
