[Digital Today intern reporter Seung-a Yoo] BlackRock has launched a new exchange-traded fund focused on robotics, expanding its lineup of artificial intelligence investment products.

On Oct. 22 (local time), crypto-focused media outlet Cryptopolitan reported that BlackRock introduced the iShares Future Robotics and Related Technologies Active ETF (RBTX). It targets investors seeking a more selective approach as broader market enthusiasm for AI investing weakens, while investing in AI and robotics-related stocks.

RBTX is listed on NYSE Arca and has a total expense ratio of 0.65 percent. It uses the MSCI ACWI Net Index as a benchmark. Unlike a passive ETF that tracks an index, it is an active ETF in which managers select holdings directly, and it is designed to invest across the robotics industry.

According to TradingView data, its top holdings are Tesla at 5.27 percent, AMD at 4.87 percent and Nvidia at 4.59 percent. BlackRock's Fundamental Equity Technology team runs the fund, with Tony Kim (토니 김) and Reid Menge (리드 멩게) serving as portfolio managers. The group manages more than $50 billion in AI- and technology-related investment assets.

BlackRock views robotics as the next stage in the spread of AI. Tony Kim explained that as AI expands beyond data centres into the physical world, robotics could lead the next adoption phase. He expects the role of robotics to grow as AI is used more widely in real industrial settings.

The launch coincides with a trend of investors taking a more selective approach to AI-related stocks. Jay Jacobs (제이 제이콥스), BlackRock's head of U.S. equity ETFs, said recent share price swings show changing investor attitudes, adding that investors are increasingly choosing individual stocks rather than investing broadly across the AI industry.

BlackRock already runs the iShares AI Innovation and Tech Active ETF (BAI), the largest AI ETF in the United States. More than $14 billion has flowed into BAI since its launch in October 2024.

The expansion of the active ETF market is also a backdrop to BlackRock's product diversification. iShares is the world's third-largest active ETF provider and has attracted more money into active funds this year than rivals. Related assets under management nearly doubled over the past 12 months to about $200 billion. BlackRock expects the global active ETF market to triple from $1.4 trillion now to $4.2 trillion in 2030.

The launch of RBTX is seen as a strategy by BlackRock to highlight robotics as a new investment theme as enthusiasm for AI investing cools, while further segmenting its active ETF lineup.