Asian stocks sank Friday amid fresh worries over vast investments in artificial intelligence, gold and silver tumbled after hitting multiple record highs, and oil retreated on hopes for an easing of US-Iran tensions. Fresh optimism in the tech sector about the future of AI has provided support; however, with healthy earnings from companies including Meta, Samsung, and SK hynix providing much cheer. Hong Kong and Shanghai fell more than one per cent, while Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila were also down. Gold was also in retreat, sitting around $5,200 an ounce, a day after topping out above $5,595. Still, concerns remain about a conflict in the crude-rich region, which would send prices soaring, also putting upward pressure on inflation.