Meta, ServiceNow and these 7 other tech stocks could lead the next leg of the AI trade

Deutsche Bank analysts have published their preferred technology stock selections for the remainder of the year, a list that includes Meta and ServiceNow among nine names positioned as potential leaders in the next phase of the artificial-intelligence trade. The picks reflect a view that AI-driven demand may broaden beyond the semiconductor companies that have dominated the theme so far, extending into software, platforms, and services.

For investors, the significance lies less in any single name than in the framing. Analyst stock selections are opinions, not forecasts, and they often signal where institutional research sees relative earnings momentum or valuation support. A shift in emphasis toward software and application-layer companies can indicate expectations that AI spending will translate into recurring revenue, not just infrastructure buildout.

What to watch: whether these companies' upcoming quarterly results show measurable AI-related revenue contributions, and whether the group's relative performance holds if broader market sentiment toward high-valuation tech changes. The list is a research input, not a recommendation, and should be weighed against each company's fundamentals and valuation.