10 Best AI Stocks to Buy for 2026 According to Billionaire David Tepper

7. QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78

Appaloosa Management Equity Stake: $195.85 Million

QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) is one of the best AI stocks to buy for 2026, according to billionaire David Tepper. On May 7, QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) unveiled two new Snapdragon mobile platforms to deliver advanced capabilities for next-generation smartphones.

Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is one of the platforms that will deliver capabilities with new in-series AI-powered camera features, ultra-responsive performance, and improved power efficiency. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 offers essential connectivity and gaming features, backed by dependable, long-lasting battery life.

The two platforms are designed to enable next-generation capabilities for users seeking more from their smartphones, from AI-powered camera features to enhanced photo capture and image quality. In addition, the platforms affirm Qualcomm’s focus on delivering impactful solutions that can strike the right balance of performance, power efficiency, and connectivity. The platform is poised to power commercial devices from the second half of the year, including Honor, OPPO, realme, and REDMI.

Qualcomm focuses on on-device AI, designing high-performance, low-power AI engines and hardware for smartphones, laptops, vehicles, and IoT devices. Their technologies, such as the Qualcomm AI Engine and Hexagon NPU, enable AI to run locally rather than in the cloud, enhancing privacy and efficiency.