2 AI-Powered Stocks Poised to Outperform as AI Spending Surpasses $1 Trillion by 2028

The global AI market is on an unprecedented trajectory, with spending . This explosive growth is driven by rapid advancements in AI infrastructure, generative AI adoption, and operational efficiencies unlocked by AI-driven systems. For investors, identifying companies strategically positioned to capitalize on this transformation is critical. Two stocks-NVIDIA (NVDA) and Microsoft (MSFT)-stand out as dominant forces in the AI infrastructure and enterprise operations revolution, backed by robust market share, technological leadership, and alignment with long-term growth trends.

1. NVIDIA (NVDA): The Cornerstone of AI Infrastructure

NVIDIA's dominance in the AI infrastructure segment is unparalleled. The data center GPU market, a cornerstone of AI computing, , with NVIDIA capturing a staggering 92% market share. This leadership is underpinned by its cutting-edge GPU architectures, such as the H100 and H200, which power everything from large language models (LLMs) to real-time inference workloads.

The company's strategic positioning is further reinforced by the accelerating demand for AI servers. According to IDC, , growing at a blistering . NVIDIA's partnerships with hyperscalers and cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure) ensure its chips remain the backbone of next-generation AI systems.

Moreover, Morgan Stanley estimates that AI could generate , triggering a new investment cycle in infrastructure. NVIDIA's ecosystem-spanning hardware, software (e.g., CUDA), and AI frameworks-positions it to capture a disproportionate share of this value. With AI infrastructure spending projected to exceed $200 billion by 2028, NVIDIA's revenue streams are poised for sustained, high-margin growth.

2. Microsoft (MSFT): The Enterprise AI Ecosystem Leader

Microsoft's strategic investments in AI infrastructure and enterprise operations have solidified its role as a linchpin in the AI revolution. The company leads in foundation models and model management platforms, with Azure AI and its partnership with OpenAI driving enterprise adoption. Its cloud platform, Azure, is now the preferred infrastructure for deploying and scaling AI applications, particularly in sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics.

A critical catalyst for Microsoft's growth is the shift toward , where systems can autonomously execute multi-step tasks. Microsoft's integration of AI agents into its productivity suite (e.g., Microsoft 365 Copilot) and enterprise workflows is already generating significant traction. For instance, 63% of the generative AI application layer market share in 2025 was captured by startups, but Microsoft's ecosystem provides a scalable infrastructure layer that enables these innovations.

Additionally, Microsoft's enterprise services division-led by Azure AI and consulting partnerships with firms like Accenture and Deloitte-positions it to monetize the $150–$200 billion enterprise AI market. With the U.S. by 2028, Microsoft's geographic and technological dominance ensures it remains a key beneficiary of this expansion.

Conclusion: Strategic Positioning for Long-Term Outperformance

As AI spending accelerates toward the $1 trillion milestone, NVIDIA and Microsoft are uniquely positioned to outperform. NVIDIA's control over the AI hardware stack and Microsoft's enterprise ecosystem dominance create moats that are difficult to replicate. Both companies are not only riding the wave of AI adoption but actively shaping its trajectory through innovation and strategic partnerships. For investors seeking exposure to the AI revolution, these two stocks represent compelling, high-conviction opportunities.