We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best AI Penny Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) stands against the AI penny stocks.

AI penny stocks are typically small-cap companies that focus on artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, automation, and data analytics. These stocks, typically trading under $5.00 per share, belong to emerging tech firms that develop AI-powered software, robotics, or cloud-based AI solutions. Investors are drawn to AI penny stocks due to their high growth potential, as advancements in AI continue to disrupt and/or complement industries like healthcare, finance and cybersecurity. However, these stocks also come with significant risks, including volatility, low liquidity, lack of financial stability, and the potential for the share price to go to zero. These risks are even more pronounced in the context of the Chinese startup called “DeepSeek” potentially disrupting the AI inferencing market, meaning that some of the AI software and applications developed by penny stocks could eventually become commoditized and thus impossible to profitably monetize.

READ ALSO: 10 Hot AI Stocks to Buy Now

Hedge funds have been quite active in the AI space, as the most widely owned companies by hedge funds are large cap technology stocks with strong exposure to the AI megatrend. However, as hedge funds are striving to maximize their potential alpha, they are also actively seeking investments in the less followed small cap space and especially penny stocks. Hedge funds are also very keen to react to major market shifts and thus provide insights into potential major risks. Here is what Horizon Kinetics commented about the DeepSeek development during their Q4 2024 letter published in January 2024:

“How terrible are the implications for spending growth of the AI hyperscaler companies now that AI models can be developed for $6 million instead of a gazillion dollars? If that order-of-magnitude performance/cost breakthrough is true, that might be an even greater boon to AI spending. The use cases for AI are so deep, wide and all-pervading in the true economic productivity sense, that the pace of adoption and the volume load upon data storage, retrieval and processing might even accelerate. The build-it-and-they-will-come phenomenon.”

It is certain that some hedge funds view the recent developments as favorable and potentially fueling more research and progress from AI developers, many of which are penny stocks. If training and inferencing of leading AI models become exponentially cheaper, this per se means exponentially lower barriers to entry for startups and much lower budget requirements for the budget-tight small cap stocks. This shift could lead to a surge in innovation, allowing smaller AI firms to compete with established players by developing cutting-edge models at a fraction of the previous cost. Additionally, reduced computational expenses may attract more venture capital and institutional interest, further accelerating the growth of AI-focused penny stocks. The key takeaway for investors is that, while the 2023-2024 market gains were fueled by large caps, it may be finally that moment when mid and small caps, including penny stocks, follow through, by leveraging the growing GPU infrastructure base at big tech hyperscalers as well as the Chinese technology contribution. If that is the case, then observing where smart money (hedge funds) is flowing may offer unique insights into the best AI penny stocks to buy. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best penny stocks according to hedge funds.

A professional engineer working on a smart glasses prototype in a well-lit laboratory.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of AI penny stocks, we used Finviz to filter the technology companies with a share price of less than $5.00, as of March 14. We then individually identified companies that have significant revenue exposure to AI products or services. Finally, we compare the list with our proprietary database of hedge fund ownership as of Q4 2024 and include in the article the top 12 stocks with the highest number of hedge funds that own the stock.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13

Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) specializes in the design, manufacture, and marketing of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies for enterprise, medical, defense, and consumer markets. Their product lineup includes the M400 and M4000 series smart glasses, Vuzix Blade, Vuzix Shield, and Vuzix Ultralite smart glasses, all of which integrate cameras, sensors, and computing capabilities to facilitate applications such as remote support, training, and field service. The company also offers OEM optical components, including waveguide optics and display engines, to support various AR applications. With over 375 patents and patents pending, VUZI emphasizes innovation in wearable display technology. Their products are distributed globally through resellers, distributors, direct sales to commercial customers, and online platforms.

Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) is experiencing significant developments in its AR/AI smart glasses business, highlighted by a strategic partnership with Quanta Computer that included a $20 million multiphase investment. The company introduced multiple new products, including the Ultralite Pro AR smart glasses platform and Ultralite Audio smart glasses platform at CES 2025, receiving positive market response and industry recognition. The company’s proprietary waveguide technology enables processing hundreds of waveguides per single run, providing a significant competitive advantage in terms of production capacity and cost. VUZI’s patent portfolio has expanded by 50% in the past two years to over 425 patents, strengthening its position in optical waveguide and wearable computing technologies.

Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) anticipates significant growth in 2025 through multiple design wins for both consumer and enterprise OEM products, along with expanded opportunities in defense and security markets. Financial position shows approximately $18 million in cash and cash equivalents as of year-end 2024, with additional funding expected through the remaining $10 million investment from Quanta Computer. The company has implemented significant cost reductions, achieving a 36% YoY decrease in recurring cash operating costs in Q4 2024. Management expects to maintain these expense savings while moving forward with business expansion in 2025, with adequate resources to support operations well into 2026. With at least 13 hedge funds owning the stock, VUZI is one of the best AI penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Overall VUZI ranks 4th on our list of the best AI penny stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of VUZI as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than VUZI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.