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 22, 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 34.47% total return against 0.62%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: AIQ has compounded at 17.00% a year, against -1.17% 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	29.73%	34.47%	35.45%	17.00%	19.94%	25.0%	1.04	1.49	-26.4%
BOTZ	-1.86%	0.62%	13.92%	-1.17%	5.76%	25.3%	0.34	0.49	-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 22, 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	$66.72 as of September 22, 2026	$36.01 as of September 22, 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	$10.2B	$3.34B
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$95.1B

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.

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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 ($10.2B), 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 cash estimate is not available, while BOTZ would produce $5.00 cash per distribution, 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 $10.2B in assets. BOTZ is managed by Global X (launched 09/12/2016) with $3.34B in assets.

AIQ AUM$10.2B

BOTZ AUM$3.34B

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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 cash estimate is not available. The same in BOTZ would produce about $5.00 cash per distribution ($10.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, AIQ or BOTZ?

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AIQ vs BOTZ — at a glance

Generated September 20, 2026.

Overview

AIQ and BOTZ are both Global X ETFs offering thematic exposure to artificial intelligence and robotics, but they define their underlying universe differently. AIQ tracks AI and technology companies broadly, while BOTZ focuses specifically on robotics adoption and AI applications, following the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index. Both are growth-oriented equity ETFs with identical expense ratios but meaningfully different asset bases and risk profiles.

How they differ

The core difference is scope: AIQ casts a wider net across AI and technology, while BOTZ narrows to robotics and automation themes. BOTZ has a longer track record, dating to 09/12/2016, compared to AIQ's 05/11/2018 inception. AIQ holds $10.2B in assets versus $3.34B for BOTZ, giving AIQ roughly three times the asset base. Both charge 0.68%, but BOTZ carries higher volatility with a beta of 1.82 versus AIQ's 1.68. Neither offers meaningful income—AIQ distributes 0.00% and BOTZ 0.10%—making both purely capital-appreciation vehicles.

Who each is best for

AIQ: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to AI and technology transformation across software, semiconductors, and enterprise applications, with slightly lower systematic risk relative to pure robotics plays.

BOTZ: Fits investors wanting concentrated exposure to robotics hardware, automation, and industrial AI adoption, and willing to accept higher volatility for a narrower thematic bet.

Key risks to know

Thematic concentration risk: Both funds concentrate in AI and technology stocks, meaning sector-wide corrections or sentiment shifts toward automation could drive simultaneous drawdowns. Holdings likely overlap significantly between the two, so owning both doesn't diversify this risk.

High beta and growth-stock sensitivity: BOTZ's beta of 1.82 and AIQ's 1.68 mean both amplify broad market swings. In rising-rate environments or risk-off periods, these funds tend to underperform defensive equities by a wide margin.

Robotics commercialization timing: BOTZ's narrower focus on robotics adoption adds execution risk—the timeline for widespread industrial automation adoption remains uncertain, and delays could keep valuations compressed relative to expectations.

Index methodology and rebalancing: BOTZ tracks a proprietary thematic index that may shift holdings based on evolving definitions of "robotics and AI companies." Index reconstitution could introduce unexpected turnover and tracking differences.

Bottom line

If you want broad AI exposure with a slightly lower risk profile, AIQ's larger asset base and wider technology lens stand out. If you're convinced that robotics and automation are the core AI opportunity and can tolerate higher volatility, BOTZ's more focused index offers a tighter thematic bet. Neither fund generates meaningful income, so both are best suited for buy-and-hold growth strategies rather than dividend-focused portfolios. Past performance does not predict future results.

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

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