Top-Performing AI ETFs in 2025: A Comprehensive Performance Analysis

The AI ETF Boom and 2025 Returns

The artificial intelligence sector has attracted unprecedented investor interest in 2025, resulting in a surge of new exchange-traded funds designed to capture AI-related growth. This rapid expansion makes identifying the best-performing AI ETFs increasingly important for investors seeking technology exposure.

Based on funds with total net assets exceeding $200 million, we analyzed the year-to-date performance of ten leading AI-focused ETFs. The results demonstrate strong momentum across the sector, with the best performers significantly outpacing the broader market.

2025 Performance Leaders

Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (CHAT) has delivered exceptional returns, posting a 49.5% gain through 2025. This actively managed fund, launched in May 2023, focuses specifically on companies engaged in generative AI development and deployment. With 44 holdings and a 0.75% expense ratio, it captures pure-play AI exposure.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has returned 42.5% year-to-date, benefiting from the chip industry’s central role in enabling AI infrastructure. Launched in 2011, this index-tracking fund holds 25 semiconductor companies and boasts an attractive 0.35% expense ratio.

WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund (WTAI) has generated 34% returns in 2025, rounding out the top three performers alongside several other noteworthy funds including ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) and Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ).

Why Semiconductors Matter for AI Investors

The semiconductor sector’s strong performance reflects its fundamental importance to AI deployment. Chips are not peripheral to the AI revolution—they are essential infrastructure. Whether designed for AI computation or memory storage, semiconductor companies find themselves at the heart of enterprise and consumer AI adoption.

This reality explains why including non-branded AI ETFs in performance analysis proves valuable. VanEck Semiconductor ETF provides exposure to the underlying technology enablers rather than the software companies building AI applications.

Long-Term Track Records: Beyond 2025 Gains

While 2025 headline numbers are impressive, serious investors examine multi-year performance:

• VanEck Semiconductor ETF: 3-year return of 222% and 5-year return of 264%, substantially outpacing the S&P 500’s 77.8% and 102% respectively
• Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF: 141% over 3 years and 103% over 5 years
• ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF: 131% over 3 years and 81.3% over 5 years
• WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Fund: 90.7% over 3 years

The S&P 500 returned 14.7% year-to-date for reference.

Inside the VanEck Semiconductor ETF

VanEck’s semiconductor-focused fund provides diversified chip sector exposure through its 25 holdings. The fund manages $35.8 billion in net assets and carries a 0.35% expense ratio.

Top Five Holdings:

1. Nvidia (NVDA) - $4.6 trillion market cap, 18.30% portfolio weight, 1,070% 3-year return, 41.4% projected annualized EPS growth
2. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) - $1.4 trillion market cap, 9.41% portfolio weight, 311% 3-year return, 30.2% projected growth
3. Broadcom (AVGO) - $1.6 trillion market cap, 7.98% portfolio weight, 602% 3-year return, 35.7% projected growth
4. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - $402 billion market cap, 6.75% portfolio weight, 236% 3-year return, 44% projected growth
5. Micron Technology (MU) - $277 billion market cap, 6.61% portfolio weight, 306% 3-year return, 37.1% projected growth

These five holdings comprise 49.05% of the fund. Nvidia’s dominance in GPU market share for AI data centers and Broadcom’s application-specific AI chips (ASICs) both benefit from rising enterprise AI infrastructure spending. Micron’s memory chip business experiences similar tailwinds.

Deep Dive: Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF

This actively managed alternative launched just over two years ago but has built a $1.05 billion asset base. The 0.75% expense ratio reflects active management oversight. Its 44 holdings include companies directly building and deploying generative AI systems.

Top Five Holdings:

1. Nvidia - $4.6 trillion market cap, 6.90% portfolio weight, 1,070% 3-year return, 41.4% projected EPS growth
2. Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL) - $3.3 trillion market cap, 6.55% portfolio weight, 191% 3-year return, 16.7% projected growth
3. SK Hynix - ~$309 billion market cap, 4.28% portfolio weight, 534% 3-year return (in Korean won), growth rate N/A
4. Microsoft (MSFT) - $3.8 trillion market cap, 3.95% portfolio weight, 117% 3-year return, 17.8% projected growth
5. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - $402 billion market cap, 3.89% portfolio weight, 236% 3-year return, 44% projected growth

This fund’s top five holdings comprise 25.57% of assets. Microsoft and Alphabet both offer generative AI training and deployment infrastructure through cloud platforms while integrating AI capabilities into consumer and enterprise products. Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI—involving significant stake ownership—positions it prominently. SK Hynix, traded on Korean exchanges rather than U.S. markets, supplies memory chips critical for AI workloads.

The Semiconductor vs. Generative AI Choice

For long-term investors, VanEck Semiconductor ETF demonstrates superior historical performance across multiple timeframes. However, Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF’s explosive 2025 performance and pure-play AI focus merit attention for those seeking direct exposure to emerging generative technologies.

The choice depends on investment philosophy: semiconductor exposure provides diversification across the AI supply chain, while generative AI funds concentrate holdings among companies directly developing cutting-edge AI applications and services.