Artificial Intelligence Is Why You Need to Own Silver Now[Stocks](https://moneymorning.com/category/article/stocks/) # Artificial Intelligence Is Why You Need to Own Silver Now  by Rich Duprey  December 30, 2025  Share it: Silver prices have smashed through to record highs above $72 per ounce, with no signs of slowing down and reaching $100 or more is on the horizon. This surge has outpaced even gold, which is at its own new record level. There are several factors that explain silver's outperformance. First, consumption has exceeded production for years, but was masked by existing inventory. That couldn't last, and we're seeing the fruits of the imbalance now because silver's industrial applications extend far beyond its investment appeal Second, with interest rates being cut, boosting economic activity, industrial production is set to rise, ramping up silver demand and worsening the supply-demand imbalance. Perhaps the greatest driver for at least the next five years – and probably a decade or more – is artificial intelligence. The explosive growth in data centers that rely heavily on silver's unmatched conductivity is what will carry silver well into the future. ## The Exploding Role of AI in Silver Demand While solar energy has long been a major consumer of silver, AI is rapidly emerging as a dominant force. Data centers powering AI models require vast amounts of high-performance hardware – GPUs, TPUs, servers, and networking equipment – all incorporating silver in semiconductors, connectors, and switchgear for efficient power distribution and heat management. As hyperscalers race to build out AI infrastructure, electricity demand from data centers is projected to double by 2030, translating to surging needs for silver-laden components. This buildout exacerbates the existing structural shortage. Reinforcing silver's strategic importance, the U.S. Interior Dept. added it to the 2025 List of Critical Minerals, highlighting vulnerabilities in supply chains essential for technology and national security.  ## How to Invest in Silver's Upside The simplest way for investors to gain exposure is through ETFs. The **iShares Silver Trust** ( [SLV](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/slv/)) holds physical silver bullion, directly tracking the spot price minus fees – ideal for a pure play on rising prices without storage hassles. For a bet on mining companies, the **Global X Silver Miners ETF** ( [SIL](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/sil/)) offers diversified exposure to producers. Individual miners can provide leveraged upside. **First Majestic Silver** ( [AG](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/ag/)) focuses on high-grade assets in Mexico, with strong production growth potential. **Pan American Silver** ( [PAAS](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/paas/)), a larger diversified operator across the Americas, boasts robust reserves and lower costs. **Endeavour Silver** ( [EXK](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/exk/)) stands out for its exploration pipeline and operating mines in Mexico and Peru, positioning it for expansion amid shortages. To sidestep mining risks like operational delays or geopolitical issues, consider a royalty/streaming company. Streamers provide upfront capital to miners in exchange for future metal at fixed low prices, generating high margins with no direct mining exposure. **Wheaton Precious Metals** ( [WPM](https://moneymorning.com/stocks/wpm/)) is a top-tier choice: it is the world's largest precious metals streamer, with a premium portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets and nearly 100% exposure to gold and silver. Its model delivers steady cash flows and dividends, making it resilient and attractive in bull markets. ## Bottom Line Whichever path you choose – ETFs, miners, or streamers – the structural tailwinds behind silver are overwhelmingly bullish, poised to propel prices far beyond current levels for years. Because these options offer liquidity, allowing easy entry and exit compared to physical bullion or coins, they are a superior choice for investors wanting to cash in on this rally. **Beat the market, without relying on brokers or biased institutions.** Email(Required) Facebook This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Subscribe By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to _Money Morning!_ and occasional special offers from us and our affiliates. 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