The Industrial Revolution transformed the U.S. economy from a primarily agrarian and handicraft-based system into one dominated by industry and manufacturing. The technological innovations of this era fundamentally reshaped economic structures and boosted worker productivity to unprecedented levels.
The Industrial Revolution laid the foundation for the United States to lead global technological innovation and drive economic growth for more than a century.
The advancements of the Industrial Revolution focused on innovations in technology and efficiency. These changes included the widespread use of new materials such as iron and steel, the adoption of coal and petroleum as energy sources, and eventually, the internal combustion engine. The invention of groundbreaking machinery dramatically boosted productivity while reducing the need for human labor.
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Many Wall Street investors believe we are on the brink of a new revolution, driven by digital data centers (DDCs) and artificial intelligence (AI). Investment in data centers soared to a staggering $250 billion in 2024, with continued acceleration expected in the coming years. According to Market US Scoop, data center investment could approach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2033.
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Data centers provide the critical infrastructure necessary for artificial intelligence (AI) to learn and for machine learning (ML) to evolve, further transforming our increasingly digital-dependent lives. Consider the vast amount of data required to train a self-driving car or develop a complex language model. Data centers—and their capital-intensive infrastructure—are responsible for storing, processing, and safeguarding this information.
The Investment Committee at WT Wealth Management has identified several key themes poised to benefit most from the rapid expansion of AI, machine learning (ML), and data center development:
Artificial Interlligence (AI)
Blockchain
Semiconductor
Cloud Infrastructure & Cybersecurity
Data Storage & Management
Energy
In response to client inquiries about how to participate in this much-discussed technological transformation, we developed a narrowly focused investment strategy centered around companies we believe are well positioned to capitalize on this emerging technological revolution.
WT Wealth Management's strategy, called NexGen—short for “Next Generation”—is built on the belief that the next wave of technological advancements will reshape daily life even more profoundly than the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800s.
As with any emerging technology, there will be both winners and losers. Over the next 5 to 10 years, many companies will thrive while others may fade into obscurity. As a result of these diverging outcomes, this portfolio is expected to experience higher volatility—characterized by larger daily price movements—than any other WT Wealth Management strategy. Like other individual equity strategies managed by WT Wealth Management, we suggest a minimum account size of $150,000 in order to insure proper diversification.
Few industries illustrate the evolution of technology as clearly as the music industry. In the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, consumers purchased vinyl records. By the late 1970s, 8-tracks had emerged, followed by cassette tapes in the 1980s, which were considered cutting-edge at the time. In the 2000s, compact discs (CDs) were viewed as state-of-the-art—until the rise of streaming services completely redefined how we experience music today.
If you're interested in exploring the potential of NexGen companies within your portfolio and would like to examine their suitability for your specific financial goals, please reach out to your financial advisor for a more detailed discussion tailored to your investment strategy and personal objectives.
*Grammar, spelling and punctuation provided by ChatGPT
SOURCES
- Industrial Revolution
Britannica.com
- Data Center Construction Statistics
Market.us Scoop