On October 13, 2026, copper and aluminum prices fell as investors questioned whether the data center buildout tied to artificial intelligence can sustain its financing. Copper, which had recently hovered near record levels above $14,000 per metric ton, had been driven by demand linked to AI and electrification. South Korea’s equity benchmark dropped by as much as 7% over the same period, with Korean stocks having tracked copper prices closely throughout 2026. This marks the second time in about a month that AI sentiment has weighed on copper, following calls from technology executives in mid-September to slow AI development. As long as questions about financing AI infrastructure remain unresolved, volatility is expected to persist, while delayed or canceled data center projects would force a reassessment of demand outlooks for both metals.
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