Where Canada’s Real AI Opportunities Are Hidden

Two under-the-radar AI plays offer durable recurring revenue, AI advantages, and steady cash flow for long-term investors.

| More on:
The virtual button with the letters AI in a circle hovering above a keyboard, about to be clicked by a cursor.

Source: Getty Images

Key Points

  • Descartes offers high-margin recurring logistics software and growing AI capabilities to boost routing and delivery efficiency.
  • OpenText's massive enterprise data assets and cloud growth drive strong cash flow, buybacks, and a rising dividend.
  • Both stocks trade under the radar but face macro, competition, and execution risks despite durable recurring revenue. Both stocks trade under the radar but face macro, competition, and execution risks despite durable recurring revenue.

It can be hard to get on a bandwagon that looks as though it has already left the station. However, that’s not always the case. When one area of the market grows, there are usually other areas that surge right along with it. These are offshoots that provide investment opportunities that are unlikely going to surge in share price only to come back down. No, these are solid long-term bets owing mainly to one thing: recurring revenue. So let’s look at two options for investors to consider on the TSX today.

DSG

First up, we have Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG). Descartes is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider. It provides these services for logistics, transport, and global-trade workflows. This involves routing, tracking, customs filing, final-mile carrier solutions, and a connective Global Logistics Network used by shippers, carriers, and logistics providers.

Clearly, it has been doing this well, with the second quarter of 2026 coming in strong. The artificial intelligence (AI) stock reported a 10% increase in revenue to US$179.8 million, services revenue making up 93% of sales. Cash from operations also rose sharply, up 82% year over year to $63.3 million! Net income rose too, up 10%, with management closing small strategic acquisitions during the quarter, and a larger acquisition to expand final-mile inventory management.

Yet the AI stock remains hidden. It sits on a huge, industry-wide dataset, an ideal area for machine learning models to optimize routing, predict estimated times of arrivals and delays, detect fraud, allocate carriers, and more. And as mentioned, it offers a high recurring services mix to develop and buy AI capability to then roll it into subscription offerings. While it can be hit from macro risks such as trade and tariffs, as well as high costs, overall it’s a strong stock looking as though it’s eyes are headed towards future growth.

OTEX

Then we have OpenText (TSX:OTEX), an enterprise information management company that sells content management, information security, cloud services, and analytics to large organizations. It boasts new AI-driven platforms such as Titanium X, which has led to a large increase in cloud bookings.

This was seen during earnings as well, with full-year 2025 showing total revenue was up, hitting US$5.2 billion and cloud revenue rising to US$1.9 billion. Enterprise cloud bookings surged by 32%, with strong operating and free cash flow at $831 million and $687 million respectively. Even better for investors? The AI stock renewed a US$300 million share repurchase program and a 5% dividend increase.

So why does the AI stock remain under the radar? It’s again one that provides a service that, while not exciting, is essential. It controls massive volumes of enterprise documents, emails, logs and structured data across many industries. This data includes government agencies, proving its long-term worth. In fact, all this gives OTEX a potential edge versus general purpose AI vendors, as it can fine-tune models for its customers. All in all, it’s a solid investment among AI stocks that, while less exciting, is no less lucrative.

Bottom line

DSG and OTEX both look like hidden AI stocks that belong in pretty much any portfolio. DSG offers logistics for network data and high margin recurring revenue. OTEX is another solid AI stock thanks to its ownership of vast enterprise information stores. Together, these are credible AI stocks offering durable, recurring revenue that can defend against competition and even market volatility.

Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Descartes Systems Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Tech Stocks

Female raising hands enjoying vacation, standing on background of blue cloudless sky.
Tech Stocks

If You Were Waiting for Tech Stocks to Go on Sale, Now’s Your Chance

Tech stocks, like Constellation Software (TSX:CSU), might be terrific bargains amid volatility.

Read more »

visualization of a digital brain
Tech Stocks

The AI Stocks I’m Seriously Considering After the Tech Wreck

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) stock is a seriously impressive stock that just had a great Black Friday.

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Tech Stocks

TFSA Investors: How to Invest $7,000 in 2026?

TFSA investors should consider investing in diversified index funds and undervalued growth stocks to derive inflation-beating returns.

Read more »

gift is bigger than the other
Tech Stocks

1 Oversold TSX Tech Stock to Buy and Hold in December 2025

Down almost 55% from its 52-week high, CMG is a TSX tech stock that offers significant upside potential in December…

Read more »

Business success of growth metaverse finance and investment profit graph concept or development analysis progress chart on financial market achievement strategy background with increase hand diagram
Dividend Stocks

This Under-the-Radar Tech Stock Can Be Canada’s Next Unicorn

This under-the-radar Canadian power-tech supplier rides AI data centres and electrification, and could quietly compound into a unicorn.

Read more »

investor looks at volatility chart
Tech Stocks

This Soaring Canadian AI Stock Still Trades at a 33% Discount in December 2025

Down 14% from all-time highs, Celestica is an AI stock that trades at a discount to consensus price targets in…

Read more »

data center server racks glow with light
Tech Stocks

Why AI Infrastructure Could Be Canada’s Hidden Asset Boom

Canada’s clean power and land could make it the backbone of AI’s growth, and Hut 8 offers an infrastructure-first way…

Read more »

A person's hand cupped open with a hologram of an AI chatbot above saying Hi, can I help you
Tech Stocks

Shopify Made a Transformative Deal With OpenAI: Is the Stock a Buy?

Shopify (TSX:SHOP) is an AI winner and shares might be too cheap to pass up given the growth catalysts in…

Read more »