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 18, 2026

Best for

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

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

AIQ has outpaced BOTZ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 33.06% total return against 2.65%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: AIQ has compounded at 15.65% a year, against -1.83% 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.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	Since May 2018	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
AIQ	24.69%	33.06%	32.19%	15.65%	19.40%	25.0%	0.94	1.34	-26.4%
BOTZ	-4.31%	2.65%	11.56%	-1.83%	5.45%	25.3%	0.26	0.36	-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 18, 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 start of shared available history — 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.
Metric	AIQ	BOTZ
Full name	Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF
Issuer	Global X	Global X
Last Close	$64.13 as of September 18, 2026	$35.11 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate	0.00%	0.10%
Distribution Safety Score™	69	79
Safety-Adjusted Yield	0.05%	0.08%
Expense ratio	0.68%	0.68%
AUM	$10.1B	$3.31B
Distribution frequency	Semi-Annual	Semi-Annual
Underlying index	—	Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index
Objective	—	Provide exposure to companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased adoption and utilization of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	05/11/2018	09/12/2016
Beta	1.68	1.82
Last dividend	$0.0004	$0.018
Ex-dividend date	06/29/2026	06/29/2026

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

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Income calculator

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

Global X

ETFs117

Total AUM$94.0B

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.

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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 $3.31B in assets.

AIQ AUM$10.1B

BOTZ AUM$3.31B

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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 79, 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?

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AIQ vs BOTZ — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

AIQ and BOTZ are both thematic equity ETFs from Global X that capture upside in artificial intelligence, but they differ meaningfully in scope and focus. AIQ targets the broader artificial intelligence and technology sector, while BOTZ narrows the lens to robotics and AI adoption specifically.

How they differ

The core distinction is breadth versus focus. AIQ casts a wider net across AI and technology companies generally, while BOTZ explicitly targets firms positioned to benefit from robotics and AI adoption through the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index. This structural difference means their underlying holdings likely overlap significantly but diverge in concentration—BOTZ's robotics tilt introduces sector-specific risk that AIQ avoids.

AIQ carries lower systematic risk: 1.68 versus 1.82, suggesting AIQ moves less dramatically with broad market swings.

Both charge 0.68% in annual fees and distribute semi-annually. The income difference is negligible: 0.00% for AIQ versus 0.10% for BOTZ—neither is an income-focused vehicle.

Who each is best for

AIQ: Fits investors seeking broad artificial intelligence and technology sector exposure without sector concentration, particularly those with moderate risk tolerance who want a larger, more established vehicle with lower beta.

BOTZ: Fits investors willing to accept higher volatility in exchange for targeted exposure to robotics and artificial intelligence adoption, and who believe that subset will meaningfully outperform the broader AI and tech landscape.

Key risks to know

Thematic concentration: Both funds depend on the AI/robotics narrative continuing to drive investor capital. If sentiment shifts away from these themes or growth expectations decline, valuations could compress sharply across both funds' portfolios.

High beta volatility: 1.82 beta in BOTZ means larger swings in both directions during market stress. 1.68 beta in AIQ provides less cushion but still amplifies broader tech selloffs significantly.

Overlapping holdings: The funds likely share many core AI-focused companies. Holding both may create unintended concentration in specific names without meaningful diversification benefit—verify the underlying index constituents before combining them.

Index-tracking drift: BOTZ's reliance on the Indxx thematic index means its holdings shift as the index methodology rebalances. Changes in what qualifies as "robotics and AI" can create unexpected portfolio turnover and tracking error.

Bottom line

If you want broad AI and technology exposure with lower volatility and greater liquidity, AIQ's larger size and lower beta fit that profile. If you're convinced that robotics and AI adoption will be the primary growth driver and you're comfortable with higher systematic risk, BOTZ's more focused mandate appeals to that view. Neither is a dividend vehicle—both are appreciation plays on their respective themes. Past performance doesn't predict future results, and thematic momentum can reverse quickly.

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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