A 175-year-old German glassmaker, Schott AG, has unexpectedly become a standout name in the AI boom—despite once being told to shut down its fiber-optic division. Once considered a money-losing sideline, the company’s specialty glass and optical fiber technology is now in high demand, fueling a dramatic surge in its stock price to record highs. Schott, founded in 1884, has long been known for its precision glass used in medical devices, laboratory equipment, and automotive sensors. But it was its niche in optical fiber—particularly for high-speed data transmission—that quietly positioned it as a critical supplier in the AI infrastructure chain. As global demand for data centers and AI-driven computing soars, the need for high-performance, low-loss optical fibers has skyrocketed. The company’s fiber-optic division, which had struggled to turn a profit for years and faced pressure from investors to divest, has now become a cornerstone of its growth. Schott’s proprietary glass formulations allow for faster and more efficient data transfer over long distances—essential for connecting the massive server clusters that power AI models. Investors are now recognizing the strategic value of this technology. Since the AI boom intensified in 2023, Schott’s stock has surged, reaching all-time highs. Analysts point to the company’s unique position: it’s one of the few European firms capable of producing the ultra-pure glass required for next-generation optical networks. Schott’s turnaround wasn’t overnight. The company invested heavily in R&D and modernized its production lines, betting on long-term demand for advanced materials in digital infrastructure. While other industrial firms were scaling back, Schott doubled down on its core expertise in glass science. Now, with data centers expanding globally and AI startups relying on robust connectivity, Schott’s fiber-optic components are being used in major network deployments by telecom providers and cloud infrastructure companies. Its products are even being integrated into some of the most advanced AI hardware systems. The story of Schott is a reminder that in the age of AI, legacy industrial companies with deep technical roots can find unexpected relevance. What once seemed like a burden—a loss-making division—has become a competitive advantage. In a world racing toward faster, smarter computing, the humble glass fiber has emerged as a quiet but vital enabler of the AI revolution.