3 AI Stocks Retail Investors Are Watching As Enterprise Software Adopts Automation
AI is no longer just a tech story. With Anthropic’s new interactive AI economy tool putting concrete numbers around how algorithms could reshape growth, jobs, and productivity, the spotlight is shifting to stocks most exposed to that shift. That attention can create both opportunity and risk for investors who move too slowly. This article breaks down three AI Infrastructure & Productivity Software screener picks that the recent news directly touches.
The three stocks covered below are just a sample, and the full screen surfaced 35 more US-listed AI infrastructure and productivity software companies with equally compelling stories that are not included in this article.
If you want to jump straight into the fuller opportunity set, use the AI Infrastructure & Productivity Software screener to analyze, filter, and identify the AI infrastructure and productivity software businesses that best fit your own criteria.
BlackLine (BL)
Overview: BlackLine runs a cloud platform that automates routine accounting and finance work, using software and AI tools to cut manual effort.
Operations: BlackLine generates about US$732 million from software and programming, with roughly US$498 million from the United States and US$235 million from international customers.
Market Cap: US$1.9b
BlackLine matters for this AI Infrastructure & Productivity Software theme because it targets one of the most repetitive white-collar functions, the finance back office, where AI can directly convert manual workloads into software-led workflows.
"Growing adoption of the Studio360 cloud platform, alongside expanded AI and analytics capabilities, is enabling BlackLine to meet the rising need for digital transformation in finance and handle increasing data complexity. This is positioning the company to pursue higher average deal sizes and long-term revenue growth.
What happens to that trajectory depends on how one unresolved pressure around enterprise buyer adoption speed plays out over the next few years.
How that adoption curve resolves is exactly what the full narrative for BlackLine unpacks, including where accelerating automation potential could be masked by slow enterprise decision cycles.
Pagaya Technologies (PGY)
Overview: Pagaya Technologies uses proprietary AI models and data science to help banks and lenders approve and fund more consumer loans.
Operations: Pagaya Technologies generates about US$1.39b from software and programming activities that support its AI-driven financial services platform.
Market Cap: US$1.9b
Pagaya Technologies taps directly into the AI Infrastructure & Productivity Software theme by plugging its underwriting engine into lenders’ existing pipes, turning rejected applications into new volume for partners and fee income for itself.
"The AI disruption risk is real and acknowledged. If foundation models commoditise the credit decisioning layer, Pagaya's AI moat narrows."
What happens to margins if one key assumption about who captures the value in those AI-powered credit networks quietly shifts?
That value split is exactly what the full narrative for Pagaya Technologies pulls apart, showing where Pagaya Technologies could still accelerate as AI infrastructure, partnerships, and monetisation models evolve.
DocuSign (DOCU)
Overview: DocuSign runs an AI-powered digital agreement platform that lets organizations create, analyze, and sign contracts electronically across devices and workflows.
Operations: DocuSign generates about US$3.36b from software and programming, with roughly US$2.34b from the U.S. and US$1.02b from international clients.
Market Cap: US$12.79b
DocuSign sits squarely in the AI Infrastructure & Productivity Software theme because its agreement tools act like connective tissue for workflows, turning paperwork into structured data that AI systems can reason over and automate.
"Rollout and ramp-up of the IAM platform, with AI-native features and deep enterprise system integrations, is unlocking significant upsell opportunities as customers migrate from core eSignature to broader agreement management, driving improved ARPU and supporting double-digit future topline growth."
What happens to that story hinges on how one quiet shift in how much value customers attribute to those AI-heavy workflows plays out.
That shifting perception is exactly what the full narrative for DocuSign lays out, showing where DocuSign’s AI-heavy workflows could accelerate upside while keeping the risk trade off clear.
Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before Others Pile In
Markets move fast. Breakout stories gain momentum, sleepy sectors start flying, and solid ideas get caught once the crowd wakes up. Scan fresh picks while it matters and consider acting before opportunities become crowded.
- Spot resilient compounders early and stress test balance sheets with the curated list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (24 results) before the rest of the market fully recognizes that strength.
- Seek upside where cash generation still matters by tracking the hand picked 73 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash and focus on AI businesses already funding growth internally.
- Prepare for potential shifts in the next materials cycle by reviewing the focused 9 top copper producer stocks and keep potential supply pinch points working in your favour.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com