Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnScott Levine, The Motley FoolSat, July 4, 2026 at 7:57 PM GMT+2 4 min readWhether you use large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or you're familiar with artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Siri from Apple and Copilot from Microsoft -- or you lean on AI found in various apps and platforms to complete everyday tasks, you're likely well aware of how dominant AI has become in our daily lives.Most investors familiar with the burgeoning field of AI will point to semiconductor companies as pivotal to the industry's growth.Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »But investors who only recognize semiconductor stocks as AI investment opportunities are missing out. In fact, there's another stock that's critical for AI growth.Image source: Getty Images.Semiconductor stalwarts often steal the spotlightIt goes without saying that semiconductor specialist Nvidia attracts the attention of AI investors. The company's consistent innovation and development of chips -- specifically, graphics processing units (GPUs) -- used in data centers has played a vital role in the industry's accelerating growth.Nvidia's not alone. Other semiconductor companies, such as Micron Technology, which designs memory and storage solutions, are also benefiting from the growth of the AI industry. The company's high-bandwidth memory products, for example, support faster inference and scaling of agentic AI workflows.While these two companies receive the majority of attention, numerous companies are nipping at their heels. Investors may recognize some of these competitors, but one company is playing an equally -- if not more -- important role in the AI industry's growth, and it represents a different industry altogether.AI is aiming for the stars with this energy companyData center operators may use extraordinarily advanced GPUs to provide the computing infrastructure for AI applications, but it means little if there's inadequate power to keep the chips humming. That's where Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG) come in.AI computing demands significant amounts of power. To meet this demand, many data center operators are turning to nuclear energy companies, from advanced nuclear reactor companies to established nuclear energy leaders like Constellation Energy.In 2024, Constellation Energy announced it plans to restart operations at Three Mile Island after signing a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft, which will purchase energy from the nuclear plant to support its data centers in the region.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info