Meet the AI makers

Emerging markets are building the backbone of the AI revolution, offering long-term investors a compelling way in.

Date published

12 Sept 2025

Watch time

4 minutes

View the series

Sangeeth Sewnath

Charlie Linton

Anton Du Plooy

When people think of AI, they often picture Silicon Valley. But the physical infrastructure powering the AI revolution - from advanced semiconductors to precision manufacturing - is increasingly being built in emerging markets.

In this episode, Ninety One’s investment team explores how select companies in Asia and other emerging markets have quietly become indispensable players in the global AI value chain. With established leadership positions, robust capabilities, and strong moats, these firms may offer durable, underappreciated opportunities for long-term investors.

Authored by

The AI Edge: Investing Beyond the Headlines

In this series, Ninety One’s global investment teams uncover four underappreciated ways investors can position portfolios for long-term, AI-driven growth — starting now.

Beyond the one-way trade

For years, capital has gravitated to the US.  A one-way trade powered by tech dominance and economic heft. But as the world tilts on its axis, the next cycle is unlikely to resemble the last, and the investment map is beginning to redraw itself.

Capital Market Assumptions - April 2025

Ninety One’s Capital Market Assumptions framework focuses on the key drivers of long-term performance. We do this to better understand possible future returns, enriching discussions with our clients.

Quality investing

The best companies stand the test of time.

Important Information

This communication is provided for general information only and should not be construed as advice.

All the information in this communication is believed to be reliable but may be inaccurate or incomplete. The views are those of the contributor at the time of publication and do not necessarily reflect those of Ninety One.

Any opinions stated are honestly held but are not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.

All rights reserved. Issued by Ninety One.

For further information on indices, fund ratings, yields, targeted or projected performance returns, back-tested results, model return results, hypothetical performance returns, the investment team, our investment process, and specific portfolio names, please click here.

United Kingdom

Select your role