Over the last ten years, the technology sector has significantly influenced the global economy, with many of the world's most valuable companies operating within this space. This trend is expected to persist.

The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT +0.57%) has emerged as a strong vehicle for investors looking to capitalize on this sector. Managed by a well-established investment firm with a history spanning five decades, the ETF has attracted $170 billion in assets, indicating substantial investor confidence.

In terms of performance, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF has excelled, boasting a total return of 839% as of October 7. An investment of $10,000 made in early October 2016 would now be worth nearly $94,000, showcasing impressive growth.

This performance surpasses that of a notable competitor, the Invesco QQQ Trust, which tracks the Nasdaq-100 index and has yielded a total return of 586% over the same period. While QQQ's annualized gain stands at 21.3%, it falls short of VGT's remarkable annualized return of 25.1%.

Fees are also a critical consideration for investors. The Vanguard Information Technology ETF charges an expense ratio of just 0.09%, which is significantly lower than the 0.18% fee associated with the Invesco QQQ Trust. Although the difference may seem minor, it can lead to substantial savings over time.

Based on its historical performance and lower fees, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF is positioned as the top choice for long-term investors seeking exposure to the tech sector.

The ETF comprises over 300 stocks from various technology-related industries, with semiconductors making up 36.9% of its total weight. Nvidia, a leader in AI hardware, represents 17.7% of the ETF and has seen its share price skyrocket by 13,970% over the past decade, making it the most valuable company in the world with a market capitalization of $5.7 trillion.

Apple, which constitutes 15.8% of the portfolio, has faced criticism for its slow AI strategy but continues to lead in consumer products and is gradually integrating AI into its offerings. Microsoft, holding an 11.5% stake, is also a key player, thriving in the enterprise software market and benefiting from its Azure cloud platform as demand for AI tools grows.

Investors in the Vanguard Information Technology ETF are essentially betting on the positive economic impact of AI in the future, as all top 10 stocks in the portfolio are linked to this ongoing transformation. While selecting individual winners can be challenging, history suggests that investing in the broader technology sector, as this ETF does, is a sound strategy.