Artificial intelligence stocks are rarer than you might think. Many companies tout AI technology initiatives and machine learning. But there really are few -- if any -- public, pure-play AI stocks. In general, look for companies using AI technology to improve products or gain a strategic edge. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen once observed how "software is eating the world" by remaking industries through automation.

Artificial intelligence stocks are rarer than you might think. Many companies tout AI technology initiatives and machine learning. But there really are few -- if any -- public, pure-play artificial intelligence stocks. The "AI" stock ticker, though, has been claimed. Startup C3.ai, which sells AI software for the enterprise market, filed on Nov. 13 for an initial public offering.

Artificial intelligence stocks are rarer than you might think. Many companies tout AI technology initiatives. But there really are few -- if any -- public, pure-play artificial intelligence stocks. And the AI competition landscape isn't an easy picture to paint. Instead, look for companies using AI technology to improve products or gain a strategic edge.