The artificial intelligence (AI) surge has not increased overall technology-sector demand for gold, the World Gold Council (WGC) reports. Manufacturers’ efforts to reduce gold use in components offset growth from AI applications last year.
Gold use in technology remained flat at 323 tonnes in 2025. This occurred as companies miniaturized parts and aimed to remove gold from some components. Technology demand for gold gained 7% in 2024, reaching 326 tonnes, with AI contributing modestly, the WGC noted in February 2025.
Co-packaged optics (CPO) could become a new source of gold demand within the AI sector. The WGC described the electronics demand as a “tug-of-war,” with both sides currently balanced. Gold’s modest use in AI so far limits short-term demand expectations for the metal.
CPO technology integrates optical and computing components to speed up data movement in AI systems. Gold is essential in some CPO parts, like lasers and high-frequency electrodes, due to its durability and electrical conductivity. Gold traded at $4,270.30 per ounce on Friday morning, up almost 14% from a year earlier.
