Investors Shift Toward Physical and Industry-Specific AI and Robotics

Generative AI investment is shifting away from general-purpose chatbots and software tools toward industry-specific and physical AI capable of performing tasks in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and other settings. Tesla CEO Elon Musk sees humanoid robots as a potential path to AGI, putting machines’ ability to perceive, reason about and operate in the physical world at the center of a new race for capital.

On March 16, 2026, PYMNTS highlighted a new wave of funding: Rhoda AI raised $450 million in a Series A round at a $1.7 billion valuation, while Rivian spinout Mind Robotics secured $500 million at a valuation of about $2 billion. A June 29 report also cited a16z analysis showing capital shifting away from fintech and asset-light software toward AI infrastructure and robotics.