Got $3,000? 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy and Hold for the Long Term

Although artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for decades, it didn't hit the mainstream until the past couple of years. Since then, it has become a regular part of many people's lives and transformed the way many companies conduct their business.

AI has also attracted new investor interest, with many individuals putting money into AI stocks, hoping to profit from the newfound tech gold rush. Realistically, though, some AI companies will inevitably fizzle out, but there are a few staples that look to be here for the long haul.

If you have $3,000 to invest, consider splitting it among the following AI stocks that are good long-term buys.

Image source: Getty images.

1. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) isn't a traditional AI company in the sense that it trains models, has AI apps, or designs algorithms. However, it has a strong case for being one of the most important companies involved with that technology.

TSMC, as it's also known, is the world's largest semiconductor foundry, responsible for actually producing many of the chips that power today's electronics. Companies design the chips they need for their products, take the designs to TSMC, which uses its manufacturing expertise to bring the chip to life.

In the AI world, the company is responsible for manufacturing more than 90% of the world's advanced chips used in today's data centers. They power the supercomputers needed to train AI models, and without TSMC producing them, the supply and quality of these chips would likely decline. The company's capabilities are far beyond those of even its closest competitors.

As companies continue to build AI infrastructure, TSMC will play a crucial role. And even if (or rather, when) that demand slows, TSMC will still thrive because many companies rely on it for non-AI products like smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, just to name a few.

2. CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD) is one of the AI pioneers in its industry. It's a cybersecurity company that has always been AI-native, using it to detect and stop attacks in real time without much human intervention.

Being one of the first movers in its field has given CrowdStrike a data advantage that it uses to make its AI models more effective and harder for hackers to get around. It's routinely ranked among the top cybersecurity companies globally, and many of the world's most notable businesses rely on it for protection.

As of the end of its fiscal third quarter (on Oct. 31, 2025), nearly half of CrowdStrike's customers used at least six of its modules (what it calls its individual security tools), and almost 24% used at least eight. This is a sign that companies are comfortable handing over various aspects of their cybersecurity to CrowdStrike.

It's also operating in an industry that's expected to experience high growth in the coming years. As the world increasingly operates online, the need for cybersecurity protection will skyrocket.

Management estimates its total addressable market for 2026 is $140 billion and will increase to $300 billion by 2030. Whether it hits that mark remains to be seen, but even past 2030, CrowdStrike has all the tools to be a long-term staple in the cybersecurity world.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is one of the tech world's long-standing staples, and over its 50-year history, it has grown to operate in many categories. Whether it's productivity software, various hardware, cloud computing, gaming, or other businesses, Microsoft has developed into a one-stop tech shop.

One reason I like Microsoft is that its business is built so that AI can only be an asset, and it's not reliant on it for success. Management has direct access to millions of businesses and consumers via its software, operating system, and Azure cloud platform. This allows it to integrate AI into tools to increase their appeal and strengthen the company's pricing power.

It offers the best of both worlds: an established tech giant with a huge reach and a player that can organically benefit from AI's growth. It's a stock you can load up on and sleep well at night without worrying about how volatile the AI industry may be in the coming years.

Stefon Walters has positions in CrowdStrike, Microsoft, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends CrowdStrike, Microsoft, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. 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.