10 AI Stocks Under $20 to Buy Now

8. Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ:CRNC)

Share Price as of December 26: $11.05

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15

Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ:CRNC) is one of the AI stocks under $20 to buy now. On December 11, Cerence announced the expansion of its AI ecosystem with the launch of two new domain-specific AI agents: the dealer assist agent and the ownership companion agent. These solutions mark a shift for Cerence AI as it moves beyond in-vehicle experiences to address challenges across the broader automotive ecosystem. Both agents are scheduled to make their official debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.

The dealer assist agent is designed to bridge the gap between customer expectations and dealership operational limits. Highlighting current industry inefficiencies, Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ:CRNC) noted that nearly half of online leads go unanswered for 24 hours, despite data showing that leads contacted within an hour are 7x more likely to qualify. Furthermore, dealerships typically lose 15% to 20% of potential monthly sales due to unresponsiveness after hours. This new agent automates lead capture, test drive bookings, and service scheduling while integrating directly with CRM and Dealer Management Systems/DMS to ensure a seamless handoff to human staff for high-value interactions.

The ownership companion agent focuses on the driver’s post-purchase journey, providing an always-on service companion inside the vehicle. This agent addresses the fact that over 60% of car owners do not currently use the advanced features in their vehicles. It helps drivers diagnose mechanical issues, interpret dashboard alerts, and book service appointments instantly. The agent also recognizes individual driver history to surface trade-in or upgrade opportunities, allowing OEMs to maintain proactive brand loyalty long after the initial sale. Together, these two agents create an AI-powered service loop that facilitates real-time, context-aware handoffs between the vehicle and the dealership.

Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ:CRNC) provides AI-powered assistants for the mobility/transportation market in the US, the rest of the Americas, Germany, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific.