Top 19 'AI-Proof' Investment Strategies to try for thriving in an automated world in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
Welcome back to the blog! It feels like you can't scroll for more than a few seconds without seeing something about Artificial Intelligence. AI is writing code, creating art, and even diagnosing illnesses. It’s an incredible technological leap, but for investors, it brings a nagging question: Is my portfolio safe in a world where machines can do so much?
The rise of automation is a genuine paradigm shift, one that will create immense wealth but also disrupt entire industries. Many investors are piling into the obvious AI stocks, but a truly resilient strategy involves looking at where AI can't easily go. It's about finding value in the uniquely human, the physically scarce, and the fundamental infrastructure that powers it all. This isn't about being anti-AI; it's about being a smart, forward-thinking investor.
So, how do you build a portfolio that doesn't just survive but actually thrives in this new era? It’s time to think beyond the hype and focus on durable, long-term value. We've compiled 19 'AI-proof' investment strategies for 2025 and beyond, designed to help you navigate the complexities of an automated world with confidence.
1. The 'Picks and Shovels' of AI: Semiconductor & Chip Manufacturers
During a gold rush, the surest way to get rich wasn't always by digging for gold, but by selling picks, shovels, and blue jeans to the miners. The AI revolution is no different. Every AI model, from ChatGPT to self-driving cars, runs on incredibly powerful, specialized computer chips. These semiconductors are the digital bedrock of the automated world.
Investing in the companies that design and manufacture these chips (the 'fabs' and the 'fabless') gives you exposure to the entire AI ecosystem's growth, regardless of which specific AI company wins out. This is a foundational play on the computational power required for progress.
- Examples: Think about industry giants like NVIDIA (which designs GPUs essential for AI training), TSMC (the world's leading contract chip manufacturer), and ASML (which creates the machines that make the chips).
2. Digital Real Estate: Data Center REITs
Where does all the AI processing and data storage happen? Not in the cloud, metaphorically speaking, but in massive, secure, power-hungry buildings called data centers. As AI models become more complex and data generation explodes, the demand for these physical facilities is skyrocketing.
Data Center Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) own and operate this critical infrastructure. By investing in them, you're essentially becoming a landlord to the biggest tech companies in the world. It’s a tangible asset play that benefits directly from the intangible growth of the digital economy.
- Tip: Look for REITs with a global footprint and contracts with hyperscale clients like Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and Google (Cloud). Examples include Equinix (EQIX) and Digital Realty (DLR).
3. Powering the Revolution: Renewable Energy & Grid Infrastructure
AI is incredibly energy-intensive. A single AI query uses significantly more electricity than a traditional web search. The data centers we just discussed consume as much power as small cities. This insatiable demand for energy is putting a massive strain on our existing power grids.
This creates a dual investment opportunity. First, in renewable energy companies (solar, wind) that can provide the clean power tech giants are demanding to meet their ESG goals. Second, in the companies that are modernizing and expanding the electrical grid itself—the transmission lines, transformers, and smart grid technology.
- Tip: Consider ETFs that focus on clean energy (like ICLN) or grid infrastructure (like GRID) to gain diversified exposure.
4. Guarding the Gates: Cybersecurity
A more interconnected and AI-driven world is also a world with more sophisticated and automated security threats. As companies and governments integrate AI into their core operations, the need to protect sensitive data, algorithms, and infrastructure from cyberattacks becomes paramount.
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT expense; it's a fundamental business necessity. Companies that use AI to fight AI-powered threats are in a particularly strong position. This is a sector with a persistent and growing tailwind, as the digital arms race between attackers and defenders will only intensify.
- Examples: Look for established leaders like Palo Alto Networks or CrowdStrike, which are at the forefront of AI-driven security solutions.
5. The Human Touch: Luxury Goods & Artisanal Craftsmanship
AI can replicate a design, but it cannot replicate heritage, provenance, or the story behind a hand-stitched leather bag or a master-built mechanical watch. The world of high-end luxury is built on scarcity, human skill, and brand legacy—qualities that are inherently resistant to automation.
As a portion of the world becomes wealthier from the productivity gains of AI, the demand for these status symbols and tangible works of art is likely to increase. These are Veblen goods, where the high price and exclusivity are part of the appeal. Investing in the companies that own these timeless brands can be a powerful hedge against commoditization.
- Examples: Think of conglomerates like LVMH (Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co.) or Richemont (Cartier, Vacheron Constantin).
6. Irreplaceable Moments: Live Entertainment & Experiential Services
You can ask an AI to write a song, but you can't ask it to replicate the feeling of being at a live concert with 50,000 other fans. You can see photos of the Grand Canyon online, but it doesn't replace the experience of standing at the edge. The "experience economy" is profoundly human-centric.
Companies that facilitate these unique, in-person experiences—from concert promoters and ticketing platforms to travel and tourism operators—are tapping into a fundamental human desire for connection and memory-making. As routine tasks get automated, people will likely place an even higher value on how they spend their precious leisure time.
- Examples: Live Nation (LYV) dominates the live music scene. Booking Holdings (BKNG) facilitates global travel experiences.
7. High-Touch Healthcare & Personalized Wellness
While AI will revolutionize diagnostics and drug discovery, the delivery of care—especially for complex, chronic, or age-related conditions—will remain a deeply human endeavor. Empathy, bedside manner, and the ability to build a trusting relationship with a patient are not things AI can easily replicate.
Investments in premium, personalized healthcare providers, specialized senior living facilities, and wellness retreats cater to this need. This sector benefits from demographic tailwinds (aging populations in developed countries) and a growing focus on preventative health and well-being.
- Tip: Look for operators of high-end assisted living facilities or companies focused on specialized physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
8. The Ultimate Human Service: Elder Care
Building on the previous point, the elder care industry deserves its own category. The demographic shift of aging populations in many parts of the world is a non-negotiable trend. Providing quality care for the elderly requires a level of patience, compassion, and physical assistance that is far beyond the reach of current automation.
This is a sector driven by necessity. Companies that provide in-home care, manage assisted living communities, or offer specialized nursing services are fulfilling a critical and growing societal need. It's a workforce that is, for the foreseeable future, fundamentally 'AI-proof.'
- Tip: Research smaller, regional operators in addition to the large publicly-traded companies, as they often provide specialized, high-quality care.
9. Real-World Problems: Vocational Training & Skilled Trades
Who is going to fix the robot that's supposed to fix your plumbing? While AI can design a building, you still need skilled electricians, plumbers, welders, and carpenters to build and maintain it. The demand for skilled trades is already high, and this gap is likely to widen as many office jobs become automated.
Investing in companies that provide vocational training or in businesses that supply tools and services to these tradespeople is a bet on the enduring value of hands-on work. The physical world will always need maintenance, and that requires skilled human hands.
- Examples: Companies like Home Depot (HD) or Ferguson (FERG) supply the materials, while companies focused on technical education also stand to benefit.
10. Location, Location, Location: Prime Real Estate
AI can't create more coastline in Malibu or add a new block next to Central Park. The value of prime real estate in desirable, supply-constrained locations is timeless. Whether it's residential, commercial, or industrial, well-located property is a tangible asset that provides a strong hedge against inflation and digital disruption.
Focus on properties in "superstar cities" with diverse economies, strong infrastructure, and cultural appeal. These are locations that will continue to attract talent and capital, regardless of technological shifts. The land itself is the ultimate scarce resource.
- Tip: Beyond direct ownership, consider REITs that specialize in specific, high-value property types, like Class A office buildings in major downtown cores or logistics centers near key ports.
11. Scarcity & Taste: Fine Art & Collectibles
The value of a Picasso is not just in the image itself (which an AI could replicate) but in its history, its provenance, and its place in the cultural zeitgeist. The markets for fine art, rare wines, classic cars, and other collectibles are driven by human passion, connoisseurship, and a desire for unique, tangible assets.
While this is a more specialized asset class, fractional ownership platforms are making it more accessible to a wider range of investors. This is an investment in human culture and the enduring appeal of one-of-a-kind items.
- Tip: Use platforms like Masterworks for fractional art investing or simply follow the Sotheby's Mei Moses Index to track the market's performance.
12. The Essence of Life: Water Rights & Infrastructure
Mark Twain supposedly said, "Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over." Water is the most fundamental commodity, and it is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change and population growth. AI can't create more of it.
Investing in water is not just about a commodity play. It's about investing in the companies that manage water resources: utilities that purify and deliver it, technology firms that improve efficiency and reduce leakage, and engineering companies that build desalination plants and reservoirs.
- Examples: Consider water utility ETFs like PHO or FIW for broad exposure to the companies managing this indispensable resource.
13. Feeding the World: Farmland & Agribusiness
Just like water, food is a non-negotiable human need. The world's population is growing, and the amount of arable land is finite. Owning productive farmland is one of the oldest and most durable forms of investment. It's a real asset that produces a yield and tends to hold its value well during inflationary periods.
Beyond direct ownership, you can invest in Agribusiness companies that support the food production chain—from seeds and fertilizers to farm equipment and food processing. As a long-term strategy, feeding humanity is about as 'AI-proof' as it gets.
- Examples: Publicly traded farmland REITs like Farmland Partners (FPI) or companies like Deere & Co. (DE) that produce essential agricultural machinery.
14. If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em: Robotics & Automation
This might seem counterintuitive, but one way to 'AI-proof' your portfolio is to invest in the companies that are building the physical automation itself. While software-based AI handles the thinking, robotics companies build the machines that perform tasks in the real world—from warehouse logistics and manufacturing to surgical assistance.
These are the companies translating digital instructions into physical action. As labor costs rise and technology improves, the adoption of robotics will accelerate across nearly every industry. This is a direct investment in the productivity boom that AI promises.
- Tip: Look at ETFs like ROBO or BOTZ, which hold a basket of global companies in the robotics and automation space.
15. The Ultimate Hedge: EdTech & Lifelong Learning
In a rapidly changing world, the most valuable asset is the ability to learn and adapt. The half-life of skills is shrinking, and continuous education will become a necessity for almost every professional. This creates a massive opportunity for companies in the Education Technology (EdTech) space.
Investing in platforms that provide professional certifications, upskilling courses, and corporate training is a bet on human capital. As a leading voice in finance, Goh Ling Yong has often emphasized that investing in knowledge pays the best interest. These companies provide the tools for people to stay relevant and competitive in an automated workforce.
- Examples: Companies like Coursera (COUR) or platforms that offer specialized digital skills training are well-positioned for growth.
16. The Power of Trust: Companies with Strong Brands & Moats
AI can analyze data to create a product, but it cannot instantly create a brand that people trust and love. Companies with deep economic moats—like a powerful brand, network effects, or high switching costs—are more resilient to disruption. Think about why you choose Coca-Cola over a generic cola, or why you stick with Apple's ecosystem.
This brand loyalty and consumer trust are built over decades and are incredibly difficult for a new, algorithmically-driven competitor to break. Investing in these "boring" but dominant companies can provide stability and predictable returns in a volatile technological landscape.
- Tip: Look for companies with consistent pricing power and high repeat customer rates. Warren Buffett's portfolio is a masterclass in this strategy.
17. Funding the Future: Venture Capital in Human-Centric Startups
For those with a higher risk tolerance, venture capital offers a way to invest directly in the next generation of 'AI-proof' businesses. Look for funds that focus on startups in areas where the human element is the core value proposition.
This could include new consumer brands built on authenticity and community, unique travel and hospitality concepts, or new models for education and healthcare delivery. It’s about funding the entrepreneurs who are building businesses around the things that AI can't replace.
- Tip: Access to top-tier VC is difficult, but platforms like OurCrowd and AngelList are opening up opportunities for accredited investors.
18. Owning an Idea: Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property (IP)—patents, copyrights, and trademarks—is the legal foundation that protects unique human and corporate creations. You can invest in IP directly by acquiring royalty streams from music, films, or pharmaceutical patents.
This strategy provides a diversified income stream that is often uncorrelated with the broader stock market. An AI can write a song in the style of The Beatles, but it can't own the copyright to "Hey Jude." Investing in established IP is a bet on the enduring value of proven creative works.
- Examples: Publicly traded companies like Hipgnosis Songs Fund (SONG) own massive catalogs of music royalties.
19. The Most Important Investment: Your Own Skills & Personal Brand
Finally, the single best 'AI-proof' investment you can ever make is in yourself. Your unique combination of skills, experiences, and relationships forms a personal brand and a set of capabilities that no AI can replicate. Continuously learn, cultivate your network, and focus on developing uniquely human skills like creativity, critical thinking, and leadership.
While not a stock or a bond, the return on this investment is immeasurable. It makes you more adaptable, more valuable, and more resilient, no matter which way the technological winds blow. As I often say here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, your personal balance sheet starts with your own human capital. Don't neglect it.
Conclusion: Embrace the Change, Invest Wisely
The rise of AI isn't a future to be feared, but a reality to be strategically navigated. Building a truly resilient portfolio for 2025 and beyond isn't about shunning technology. It's about a thoughtful, balanced approach that acknowledges where machines excel and where human ingenuity, tangible scarcity, and real-world needs will always reign supreme.
By diversifying across the foundational infrastructure of AI, the irreplaceable human experiences it can't replicate, and the scarce physical assets it can't create, you can position yourself to thrive in our increasingly automated world. The future is a blend of the digital and the physical, the automated and the artisanal. Your portfolio should reflect that.
What are your favorite 'AI-proof' investment ideas? Are there any strategies we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you found this guide helpful, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on navigating the future of finance.
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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