Editor's note: Today, companies are racing ahead by embracing AI – while others are punished for dragging their feet. According to Joel Litman of our corporate affiliate Altimetry, early AI adoption, not invention, is shaping the biggest winners. In this piece, adapted from a recent issue of the free Altimetry Daily Authority e-letter, Joel breaks down the widening performance gap and explains why silence may be a red flag for investors...

While some industries remain untouched by AI, others are knee-deep in disruption...

It's no secret that AI is transforming the economy. But it's not doing so evenly. A report from the Brookings Institution highlights just how unbalanced the rollout really is...

Sectors like engineering, information technology ("IT"), and finance are at the top of the list. According to Brookings, they face some of the highest exposure to generative AI, thanks to the repetitive and technical nature of their workflows​.

That makes them prime candidates for automation – but also ripe for reinvention.

And that's where the divergence begins. Some companies in these industries are leaning into the shift... while others are trying to wait it out.

The Best Stocks Aren't Waiting Around on AI

Brookings says jobs that include engineering, coding, and writing are among the most likely to be impacted by generative AI...

These roles often rely on rule-based systems, digital tools, and large data sets. Those are the perfect ingredients for automation.

In theory, these industries should be early beneficiaries. But it only works if companies act quickly.

We can see the difference by looking at two IT-related companies... TTM Technologies (TTMI) and Skyworks Solutions (SWKS).

TTM Technologies makes advanced printed circuit boards for sectors like aerospace and defense and automotive. Management has been vocal about leveraging AI to improve its design processes and production efficiency on recent earnings calls.

Investors have taken notice. Shares are up roughly 30% over the past year.

Skyworks represents the other side of that coin. As a major player in radio frequency chips and wireless communication, it operates in the hardware part of the IT industry.

But despite opportunities to integrate AI in areas like signal optimization and smart connectivity, its public commentary has been relatively quiet.

Recent filings and earnings calls haven't emphasized AI as a strategic focus. The latest company presentation only referenced AI once.

Investors are left wondering whether Skyworks is moving fast enough to seize this trend. No wonder shares are down more than 40% in the past 12 months.

Take a look...

Both businesses are exposed to the same forces. One is quickly adopting AI... and reaping the rewards. The other is lagging.

That pattern is repeating across industries with high automation exposure. The biggest winners won't necessarily be AI creators. They'll be the companies that adopt early and execute fast.

AI Automation Is Redefining Productivity

Brookings pointed out that early adoption of generative AI doesn't just lead to cost savings. It can also accelerate product cycles, reduce design errors, and free up teams to tackle more complex work.

In fields like IT, competition often boils down to speed and precision. So those benefits matter... a lot.

Companies like TTM are leaning into that opportunity. They're using AI not to replace workers, but to extend what those workers can do.

That's a crucial distinction. And it's one that investors should watch for.

Not every business will be disrupted by AI at the same time. But the transformation is well underway in high-risk sectors. And silence is a major red flag.

Make sure you know where your investments stand on AI. It could mean the difference between double-digit gains and double-digit losses.

Good investing,

Joel Litman

Editor's note: We're less than two weeks away from the start of DOGE "Phase II." This story has flown under the radar as the world worried about tariffs... But President Trump and Elon Musk have been planning this for months. Backed by intel from a 25-year government insider, Joel says there are four stocks that will lead the market higher... Get the full details here.