Many artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have generated fantastic gains for investors over the past couple of years. Even if you didn't invest early in this trend, you still could have made good returns last year by investing in some top performing AI stocks.

Known as one of the U.S. government's most important vendors, Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) and its data gathering and analytics solutions have been used for such critical tasks as fighting terrorism and tracking COVID-19 cases.

Palantir Technologies Inc. PLTR stock had an incredible 2024. The company was not only added to the S&P 500 in 2024, but its 340% return made it the index's best-performing stock. The inclusion boosted demand for its shares,