The Smartest AI Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • Microsoft's business is the most diversified among the big tech companies.

  • AI is a plus to Microsoft's business, but it's not dependent on it for its success.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft ›

There's no denying just how much artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over the tech and business world over the past couple of years. With this has come huge investor interest in any company dealing with the technology in any capacity. Some AI stocks are flourishing strictly based on the current AI hype, while others are thorough businesses that will only be boosted by the technology.

As an investor, you should look to invest in a company that falls into the latter category, which is why one of the smartest AI stocks to buy right now is Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »

The Microsoft logo against an all-black backdrop.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Microsoft?

Microsoft has one of, if not the most diversified businesses in the big tech world. Where it really stands to gain from AI developments is in its enterprise software businesses. Between Office 365 (Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.), Windows, and Azure, thousands of companies rely on Microsoft to run their daily operations.

By boosting these offerings with AI, Microsoft strengthens its competitive advantage and tightens its grip on the enterprise market. The enterprise software business helps with Microsoft's stability because it's a segment that doesn't tend to take a huge hit when the broader economy isn't at its best. It's much easier for consumers to cut off subscriptions than it is for companies to do so without jeopardizing their day-to-day operations.

When you invest $1,000 in Microsoft, you know you're investing in a thorough business that will benefit from AI, but isn't overly dependent on AI hype for its core business performance.

Should you invest $1,000 in Microsoft right now?

Before you buy stock in Microsoft, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Microsoft wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $615,279!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,111,712!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,022% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 188% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of November 17, 2025

Stefon Walters has positions in Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
The Ultimate Test for the Market: What Nvidia's Earnings Mean for U.S. StocksTradingKey - Nvidia (NVDA), the leader in the AI chip market, is set to release its fiscal year 2026 Q3 earnings report after the close of US markets on Wednesday. As US investors engage in a frantic
Author  TradingKey
6 hours ago
TradingKey - Nvidia (NVDA), the leader in the AI chip market, is set to release its fiscal year 2026 Q3 earnings report after the close of US markets on Wednesday. As US investors engage in a frantic
placeholder
Top 3 Price Prediction: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple – BTC, ETH and XRP Look for a Foothold After a Sharp ShakeoutBitcoin trades near $92,600 after a dip below $90,000, while Ethereum around $3,118 and XRP near $2.21–$2.23 sit on key support zones, as BTC, ETH and XRP all try to turn a sharp correction into a tradable rebound rather than a deeper slide.
Author  Mitrade
10 hours ago
Bitcoin trades near $92,600 after a dip below $90,000, while Ethereum around $3,118 and XRP near $2.21–$2.23 sit on key support zones, as BTC, ETH and XRP all try to turn a sharp correction into a tradable rebound rather than a deeper slide.
placeholder
Bitcoin Falls Below $90K: BitMine & Bitwise Executives Predict Market Bottom This Week​Bitcoin's recent drop below $90,000 may signal a market bottom, according to industry leaders.
Author  Mitrade
11 hours ago
​Bitcoin's recent drop below $90,000 may signal a market bottom, according to industry leaders.
placeholder
Australian Dollar holds losses following Q3 Wage Price Index dataThe Australian Dollar (AUD) declines against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday after registering more than 0.25% gains in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair remains subdued after the release of medium-impact Wage Price Index data for the third quarter.
Author  FXStreet
15 hours ago
The Australian Dollar (AUD) declines against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday after registering more than 0.25% gains in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair remains subdued after the release of medium-impact Wage Price Index data for the third quarter.
placeholder
U.S. September Nonfarm Payrolls: Two-Scenario Analysis, Will U.S. Stocks Diverge in Short-Term and Medium-to-Long-Term Trends?1. IntroductionAffected by the U.S. government shutdown, the September nonfarm payrolls report—originally scheduled for release in early October—will be officially published on 20 November. As a key "
Author  TradingKey
Yesterday 10: 18
1. IntroductionAffected by the U.S. government shutdown, the September nonfarm payrolls report—originally scheduled for release in early October—will be officially published on 20 November. As a key "
goTop
quote