The U.S. stock market saw an impressive surge in late 2023, with the S&P 500 ending the year with a stellar gain of 24.2%. This upward trend continued in early 2024, and the S&P 500 already achieved nine record closing highs in 2024.

Since the S&P 500 has risen over 20% from its October 2022 bear market trough and surpassed its prior peak from January 2022, it is now firmly within a bull market phase. Reuters reports that the index notched an average gain of nearly 260% in the past six bull markets since 1950, so there is much runway left for the S&P 500 in the current bull phase.

Against this backdrop, considering the high level of excitement over artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, it makes sense to pick up shares in high-quality AI-powered companies. Here's why SentinelOne (NYSE: S) and SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) stand out as particularly prudent choices for retail investors now.

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Source Fool.com