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March
01
2023

Would ChatGPT Buy Gold As an Investment?
Phillip Patrick

If you want to be wowed by technology (or terrified of it), ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence bot that has become wildly popular in the last couple of weeks, is worth a look. This software has, almost single-handedly, inspired a new speculative frenzy in tech stocks.

I may be a little late to the party, but I thought it would be worth taking a few minutes to see whether ChatGPT could replace a Birch Gold Precious Metals Specialist.

Here’s how that conversation went…

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, please call me Phillip.

ChatGPT:

Hello Phillip! How may I assist you today?

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Gold has been a store of value and a medium of exchange throughout human history” ?

ChatGPT:

I agree that gold has been used as a store of value and a medium of exchange throughout human history. Gold has been highly valued for its scarcity, durability, and aesthetic properties, and has been used as a form of currency and a medium of exchange in many civilizations, from ancient times to the present day. Gold has also been used as a store of value because of its ability to retain its value over time and its relative stability compared to other assets.

Note: Every response from ChatGPT on financial topics is wrapped in massively hedged language, for example:

Ultimately, the choice of investments will depend on an individual’s investment goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation.

Or:

However, it’s important to note that diversification is a complex topic and should be tailored to an individual’s specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Suitable assets for diversification  may not be the best choice for everyone, and investors should carefully consider their own circumstances before making investment decisions. Additionally, any investment can be volatile and may be affected by a variety of factors such as changes in global economic conditions, geopolitical events, and shifts in supply and demand.

I removed all the lawyer-language from our conversation – after the fifth repetition, it got really tiresome.

Back to our dialogue…

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, you said of gold “its ability to retain its value over time and its relative stability compared to other assets” — can you please elaborate on what this means?

ChatGPT:

Certainly! The value of gold has historically been relatively stable over time, especially compared to other assets like stocks or currencies. This means that if you had bought a certain amount of gold at some point in the past, its value in terms of purchasing power would have been relatively similar at other points in time, even centuries later.

For example, let’s say you bought an ounce of gold for $35 in 1971, when the US ended the gold standard. At the time, you could use that $35 to buy a decent suit, a typewriter, or about 100 gallons of gasoline. If you held onto that same ounce of gold until today, you could sell it for roughly $1,800, which is roughly the same purchasing power as that $35 in 1971. However, if you had kept that $35 in cash under your mattress, it would have lost a lot of purchasing power due to inflation over the years.

Gold’s stability as a store of value makes it an attractive investment for some people, particularly during times of economic uncertainty or inflation. It’s also one of the reasons why central banks still hold significant amounts of gold in their reserves.

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, why do central banks still hold significant amounts of gold in their reserves?

ChatGPT:

Central banks hold significant amounts of gold in their reserves for several reasons, including historical precedent, financial stability, and diversification.

Historically, gold has been used as a store of value and a medium of exchange for thousands of years, and has often been seen as a symbol of wealth and power. Central banks have been accumulating gold reserves for centuries, and continue to do so today as a way to maintain continuity and stability in their monetary systems.

Gold is also viewed as a safe haven asset, and is considered a hedge against inflation and currency risk. Central banks hold gold reserves as a way to diversify their foreign exchange reserves and reduce their exposure to other currencies or assets. In times of economic and financial uncertainty, gold is often viewed as a safe asset to hold.

Additionally, gold can also serve as a form of collateral, as it can be easily liquidated in times of need. Central banks may hold gold as a form of contingency planning or as a last resort option to provide liquidity in case of financial distress.

Overall, gold remains an important asset for central banks, and is likely to continue to be a part of their reserve holdings for the foreseeable future.

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, is gold money?

ChatGPT:

Gold has been used as a form of currency throughout history and is still considered a form of money by some people today. However, it is not used as a primary medium of exchange in modern economies like paper money and digital currencies are. Instead, gold is often viewed as a store of value, a hedge against inflation, and a safe haven asset during times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty. Some people also invest in gold as a speculative asset in the hope of earning a profit from its price fluctuations.

Phillip Patrick:

ChatGPT, is gold a suitable asset for diversifying investments?

ChatGPT:

Gold has historically been considered a suitable asset for diversifying investments because it has a low correlation with other asset classes such as stocks and bonds. This means that when the value of other assets declines, the value of gold may not necessarily decline at the same time. Additionally, gold has been viewed as a store of value and a hedge against inflation, as its value has historically tended to rise during times of high inflation or economic uncertainty.

Phillip Patrick: 

Please describe the similarities and differences between physical gold and physical silver as an investment.

ChatGPT: 

Both physical gold and physical silver can be used as investments and are popular choices for diversifying portfolios. Here are some similarities and differences between the two:

Similarities:

• Both are tangible assets: Physical gold and silver are tangible assets that can be held in your hand, making them less vulnerable to market fluctuations and economic uncertainty.

• Both are considered stores of value: Historically, both gold and silver have been considered stores of value, particularly during times of economic uncertainty or inflation.

• Both can be purchased in a variety of forms: Gold and silver can be purchased in various forms, such as coins, bars, or jewelry.

Differences:

• Price: Silver is typically cheaper than gold, which means it is more accessible to investors who have a smaller budget.

• Volatility: Silver prices are generally more volatile than gold prices, meaning they can fluctuate more quickly and dramatically.

• Industrial demand: Silver has a significant industrial demand due to its use in electronics, solar panels, and other applications. This demand can have an impact on the price of silver, while gold’s price is more heavily influenced by supply and demand in the investment market.

• Liquidity: Gold is generally more liquid than silver, meaning it is easier to buy and sell quickly and at a fair price.

• Investment profile: Gold is often considered a safe-haven asset, while silver is seen as a more speculative investment due to its volatility and industrial demand.

Note: Have you ever gone shopping for jewelry? It does not sell by weight! Premiums over spot price for gold jewelry start at about 30% and premiums on silver jewelry are much, much higher. This was a huge red flag.

Phillip Patrick: 

What happens to gold’s price when equities, stock indexes for example, decline?

ChatGPT: 

Gold has often been viewed as a safe haven asset, meaning that investors tend to flock to it during times of economic and financial uncertainty. This is because gold is seen as a store of value that is not subject to the same economic and market forces that affect other assets, such as stocks and bonds.

When equity prices decline, investors may become more risk averse and seek to reduce their exposure to stocks and other risky assets. This can lead to increased demand for safe haven assets like gold, which can in turn drive up the price of gold.

However, it’s important to note that the relationship between gold and equities is not always straightforward or predictable. There are many factors that can influence the price of gold, including global economic conditions, geopolitical events, and monetary policy decisions, among others. As a result, gold’s price movements can be complex and difficult to predict.

So, what does ChatGPT know about gold and silver?

Here’s what it got right:

• The pernicious effects of inflation on buying power
• The historic roles of both gold and silver as safe havens and stores of value
• Some of the reasons central banks own gold
• The “flight to safety” demand spike for precious metals that frequently occurs in times of crisis
• Some of the similarities and differences between gold and silver

What it got wrong:

• Jewelry as an asset? That’s simply incorrect!
• “Price: silver is typically cheaper than gold” – has there ever been a time in history when silver wasn’t lower-priced per ounce than gold?
• I would argue it overemphasized silver’s “speculative” nature – yes, it’s volatile, but unlike base metals (copper, iron, nickel) silver’s price doesn’t only rely on industrial applications. Investment is a massive source of silver demand.

Some of my friends (journalists, graphic designers and writers for tech publications) are seriously concerned that ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion and similar AI-powered tools will soon render their skills obsolete.

After spending some time with it, I’m not worried. I’m really glad the AI included all those disclaimers and recommendations to seek actual professional guidance before making any financial decisions!

Considering the importance of the things it got wrong, I conclude that ChatGPT, while it does know a lot about gold and silver, is no replacement for an actual Precious Metals Specialist. If you want to learn more about physical gold and silver, we’ll be here to help – long after the AI craze has passed.

 

Phillip Patrick is Birch Gold Group’s primary spokesman and educator. He was born in London and earned a politics and international relations degree at the prestigious University of Redding in Berkshire, England. Growing up in London, he saw the risks of government overreach and socialist policies first-hand.

He spent years as a private wealth manager at Citigroup on Lombard Street (the Wall Street of London). He joined Birch Gold Group as a Precious Metals Specialist in 2012. He’s been with us ever since. In 2021, Phillip became an American citizen (congratulations!).

Phil spends much of his time leading Birch Gold’s team of Precious Metals Specialists, working with them to understand the current state of the global economy and how macroeconomic factors change the lives of everyday Americans. He excels at explaining exactly how abstract numbers like the Producer Price Index or Baltic Dry Index influence street-level economic reality. Precious metals are just one of his passions.

Because of his far-reaching expertise and his skill at making dry economics relatable, he’s in great demand as a guest commentator at a number of media outlets.

 

 

www.birchgold.com