Intuitive Surgical's Robotic Resurgence Defies AI Doubts

As of November 16th, 2025, Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) is proving its resilience in the face of industry skepticism. The company, known for its da Vinci surgical robots, has seen a remarkable turnaround after a recent drawdown.

Despite not being at the forefront of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, Intuitive Surgical has found its place in the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ: ROBT). This unexpected inclusion could be a catalyst for the company's shares to rise by as much as 50% from their current levels.

Intuitive Surgical's growth story is characterized by a sawtooth pattern, with the stock experiencing significant sell-offs followed by price rallies to new highs. In the third quarter of 2025, the company installed 427 da Vinci robots, up from 329 in the same quarter of the previous year. This brings the total number of da Vinci robots in use worldwide to 10,763.

The real driver of Intuitive Surgical's business, however, is not the sale of the robots themselves, which account for only around 25% of the company's top line. The more important factor is the increasing number of surgical procedures performed using the da Vinci system. In the third quarter of 2025, procedures using Intuitive's robots increased by 20% year-over-year, outpacing the 13% growth in the installed base. This is where the company's expertise in AI-powered robotics comes into play, enhancing the capabilities of its surgical systems and driving their adoption.

As Intuitive Surgical continues to navigate the volatile healthcare technology landscape, its ability to adapt and capitalize on emerging trends, such as the growing demand for AI-powered medical devices, positions it for continued success in the years to come.