Big Tech companies will face stiff competition over the coming years, with emerging players in software and data management taking market share, according to Ark Invest. Mega-cap U.S. firms such as Microsoft , Amazon , Google , and Oracle have led the charge in the rise of artificial intelligence. Their cloud computing platforms host some of the most advanced AI models and chips, and investors have rewarded those stocks accordingly over the past two years. However, Rahul Bhushan, managing director of Ark Invest Europe, told CNBC’s ” Squawk Box Europe ” that companies like Palantir Technologies are well positioned to disrupt the current tech landscape dominated by giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Palantair is a top 10 holding in Ark’s Innovation fund . “When you look at the AI stack today, a lot of the focus has been on chips, on hardware, and that’s where 80% of the value has accrued so far in the last two and a half years,” Bhushan explained. However, he emphasized that the real opportunities lie further down the AI stack, particularly in software-focused companies. Palantir Palantir, a data analytics company, appears to be providing customized AI and data services to its customers, compared with off-the-shelf products from Big Tech giants. The value of Palantir’s services becomes even more compelling when combined with AI capabilities, according to Ark’s Bhushan. “Most organizations, their data is all over the place. It’s in different silos. It’s in legacy systems. It’s in different formats. So Palantir goes in, and it consolidates all this data,” Bhushan noted. “Then you layer in AI on top of that, which can not only derive insights from that but can actually recommend actions.” Databricks, unlisted and held in the Ark Venture fund , and Kratos , primarily known for its work in the defense sector, are two other companies that are similarly positioned and have attractive investment opportunities, according to Bhushan. PLTR 1Y line v