Here's a story that'll either inspire you or terrify you, depending on how you feel about letting AI handle your investment decisions. A Reddit user claims he asked ChatGPT to dig up five penny stocks with 10x potential over the next seven to ten years, and the result? He doubled some of his savings in just three months.

Before you roll your eyes, consider this: retail investors are embracing AI tools in a big way. According to a survey from broker eToro Group Ltd. (ETOR) released in October, the use of AI tools to build stock portfolios jumped 46% year over year among retail investors. Whether that's brilliant or slightly concerning is probably a matter of perspective.

The Redditor posted his results in September, explaining that he asked ChatGPT to perform a deep dive on five penny stocks with serious upside potential. "On average, across these five stocks, I doubled some of my savings in three months," he wrote.

So what exactly did ChatGPT recommend? Let's break down the portfolio and see how each pick performed.

Bitfarms: The Big Winner

Bitfarms Ltd. (BITF), a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company, delivered a stunning 178% gain over the three-month period for this investor. The stock has continued its momentum, climbing about 50% so far in 2025.

That said, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. Bitfarms shares took a hit in November after posting disappointing third-quarter results. The company is also shifting its business strategy, pivoting away from Bitcoin mining toward energy and digital infrastructure projects.

Tilray Brands: Riding the Cannabis Wave

Cannabis company Tilray Brands Inc. (TLRY) was another strong performer during the three-month window ending September 13. The stock has gained 35% over the past month, boosted by reports that President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order potentially easing restrictions on marijuana's medical use and research.

In October, Tilray beat Wall Street's revenue expectations for its fiscal first quarter, with cannabis sales climbing 5% year over year. Not bad for a sector that's faced plenty of headwinds.

Lithium Americas: Betting on Battery Metals

Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC), a Canadian mining company developing large-scale lithium projects in North America, has gained 56% so far this year.

The stock got a boost in November alongside other lithium plays after China's Ganfeng Lithium Chair Li Liangbin predicted lithium demand could surge by 30% to 40% in 2026. With electric vehicle production still ramping up globally, lithium miners remain a popular bet on the energy transition.

Solid Power: Charging Up Battery Tech

Solid Power Inc. (SLDP), which develops solid-state battery technologies for electric vehicles, has been one of the portfolio's strongest performers overall. The stock has rocketed up about 123% so far this year.

In November, Solid Power reported third-quarter results that topped Wall Street estimates, adding fuel to the rally. Solid-state batteries are considered a potential game-changer for EVs, offering improved safety and energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Geron: The Loser in the Bunch

Not every pick was a winner. California-based biotechnology company Geron Corp. (GERN) fell 15% during the three-month period through September 13. Things haven't improved since then—the stock is down a painful 62% so far this year.

Biotech stocks can be incredibly volatile, and Geron's performance is a reminder that even AI-powered research doesn't guarantee winners across the board.

The Bigger Picture

This Reddit investor's experience raises interesting questions about the role of AI in retail investing. Did ChatGPT actually identify fundamentally strong companies with growth potential, or did it simply pick volatile penny stocks during a period when many of them happened to rally? Three months is a pretty short timeframe to judge a seven-to-ten-year investment thesis.

Still, the results are impressive, and they highlight how retail investors are experimenting with new tools to find an edge in the market. Whether AI becomes a genuine advantage or just another source of overconfidence remains to be seen. For now, at least one Redditor is pretty happy with his ChatGPT-powered portfolio.