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ETF Comparison

AIQ vs BOTZ: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF and Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Best for

  • AIQInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • BOTZInvestors who want higher current income (0.10% while AIQ makes no distribution).

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

AIQ has outpaced BOTZ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 43.44% total return against 8.90%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: AIQ has compounded at 15.30% a year, against -1.09% for BOTZ. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5YSince May 2018Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
AIQ25.06%43.44%30.92%15.30%19.54%25.0%0.901.28-26.4%
BOTZ-2.02%8.90%10.92%-1.09%5.77%25.2%0.230.33-29.0%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since May 2018” measures every fund from May 16, 2018 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricAIQBOTZ
Full nameGlobal X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETFGlobal X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF
IssuerGlobal XGlobal X
Last Close$64.32 as of September 4, 2026$35.95 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate0.00%0.10%
Distribution Safety Score™ 6984
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.05%0.08%
Expense ratio0.68%0.68%
AUM$10.1B$3.38B
Distribution frequencySemi-AnnualSemi-Annual
Underlying indexIndxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index
ObjectiveProvide exposure to companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased adoption and utilization of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date05/11/201809/12/2016
Beta1.681.82
Last dividend$0.0004$0.018
Ex-dividend date06/29/202606/29/2026

Bottom lineChoose AIQ if you want broad equity exposure. Choose BOTZ if you want higher current income (0.10% while AIQ makes no distribution).

Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

ETFs116
Total AUM$96.1B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Global X is known for developing thematic and alternative investment ETFs with a strong emphasis on income-generating strategies. Their 37-fund lineup spans diverse categories including covered call funds, SuperDividend income products, digital assets, commodities, and sector-specific investments, alongside traditional bond and risk-managed income options. Notable tickers like DIV, MLPA, and BCCC reflect their specialization in high-yield and alternative income strategies, positioning them as a provider focused on investors seeking yield-oriented and thematically-driven exposure.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on AIQ and BOTZ.

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Quick verdict

AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF) are both semi-annual-pay ETFs, but they take different approaches.

BOTZ currently shows a 0.10% distribution yield. AIQ has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

AIQ is the larger fund by assets ($10.1B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, AIQ has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while BOTZ would produce $0.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay semi-annual distributions.

AIQ yield0.00%
BOTZ yield0.10%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, AIQ would cost approximately $680 in fees vs $680 for BOTZ (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.

AIQ ER0.68%
BOTZ ER0.68%

Strategy & risk

AIQ is an ETF built around technology exposure, while BOTZ tracks Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index with a technology approach. Beta is 1.68 for AIQ and 1.82 for BOTZ, making AIQ the less volatile of the two by this measure.

AIQ beta1.68
BOTZ beta1.82

Fund details

AIQ is managed by Global X (launched 05/11/2018) with $10.1B in assets. BOTZ is managed by Global X (launched 09/12/2016) with $3.38B in assets.

AIQ AUM$10.1B
BOTZ AUM$3.38B

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Frequently asked questions

Which of AIQ or BOTZ pays more dividend income?

BOTZ currently reports a distribution yield, while AIQ has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between AIQ and BOTZ?

AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure, while BOTZ (Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF) tracks Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index with a technology approach. They are issued by Global X and Global X respectively.

Can I hold both AIQ and BOTZ?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is AIQ or BOTZ safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — BOTZ scores 84, AIQ scores 69, so BOTZ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, AIQ or BOTZ?

AIQ and BOTZ both charge the same expense ratio of 0.68%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.

How much income does $10,000 in AIQ vs BOTZ generate?

At current rates, AIQ has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available. The same in BOTZ would produce about $0.83 per month ($10.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, AIQ or BOTZ?

AIQ has outpaced BOTZ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 43.44% total return against 8.90%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: AIQ has compounded at 15.30% a year, against -1.09% for BOTZ. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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AIQ vs BOTZ — at a glance

Generated September 6, 2026.

Overview

AIQ and BOTZ are both Global X ETFs targeting artificial intelligence exposure, but they differ in scope and composition. AIQ casts a wider net across AI-adjacent technology companies, while BOTZ focuses specifically on robotics and AI adoption.

How they differ

The biggest distinction is thematic focus: AIQ targets general AI and technology, whereas BOTZ narrows to companies benefiting from robotics and AI specifically, tracking the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index. That scope difference likely explains why BOTZ's beta of 1.82 exceeds AIQ's 1.68—narrower themes tend to amplify swings. AIQ is substantially larger, with $10.1B in assets versus $3.38B, suggesting broader institutional adoption. Both charge 0.68%, so cost is a wash. The second key difference is distribution posture: AIQ pays nothing (0.00%), while BOTZ yields 0.10%, a nominal spread that hints at different index methodologies and rebalancing patterns. BOTZ arrived earlier (09/12/2016) than AIQ (05/11/2018), giving it a longer track record but no performance guarantee.

Who each is best for

AIQ: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to artificial intelligence and adjacent tech ecosystems without a specific robotics tilt—those comfortable with a technology-wide bet and no dividend income.

BOTZ: Designed for investors with conviction that robotics and AI adoption will drive returns and who want portfolio income alongside that thematic exposure, even if modest.

Key risks to know

  • Thematic concentration: Both funds concentrate on a narrow industry trend. If AI adoption stalls or hype recedes, both may underperform diversified tech indices significantly.
  • Higher systematic volatility: BOTZ's 1.82 beta and AIQ's 1.68 beta both exceed the broad market; downturns in growth equities or tech-sector reversals will hit these funds harder than the S&P 500.
  • Overlapping holdings: The two funds likely hold many of the same companies (chipmakers, software vendors, robotics firms). Owning both may not provide meaningful diversification benefit.
  • No income floor in AIQ: A zero distribution rate means all return depends on price appreciation, leaving AIQ vulnerable if valuations compress while BOTZ's modest yield provides a small cushion.

Bottom line

If you want pure AI-sector breadth with no dividend drag, AIQ's larger size and lower beta fit a tech-forward allocation. If you prefer the robotics-specific angle with some income attached, BOTZ's tighter focus and longer history appeal, though its higher volatility carries the trade-off. Both are volatile holdings and neither should dominate a portfolio built for stability.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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