U.S. Thematic ETF Launches Surge 87% Driven by AI
Asset managers launched 73 new thematic ETFs in the U.S. by October 2026, diversifying AI investments into robotics, cybersecurity, and the space economy.
Thematic exchange-traded funds in the United States experienced a significant surge in 2026, with 73 new products launched as of October 19. This represents an 87% increase over 2025, a trend driven largely by the dominance of artificial intelligence. Fund managers are now diversifying AI exposure into niche subsectors such as humanoids, robotics, cybersecurity, and the space economy.
BlackRock recently listed the iShares Future Robotics and Related Technologies Active ETF to capture these trends. Other firms have targeted specific AI infrastructure and development; Harbor Capital Advisors launched several AI Lab Ecosystem ETFs focusing on developers like Google DeepMind and OpenAI, while Tuttle Capital Management introduced the Roundhill Memory ETF and the Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF.
Despite the growth in product launches, AI-related stocks faced volatility in October 2026 as investors began questioning the return on investment for massive infrastructure spending. Analysts suggest this boom mirrors the thematic peak of 2021, noting that strong bull markets typically encourage increased risk-taking in targeted investment products.
