Tape storage is experiencing a resurgence as it meets the massive capacity requirements of artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. This storage solution offers low operational costs, high capacity, and offline protection, making it ideal for the extensive data generated by AI systems.
According to the Linear Tape-Open (LTO) storage standard, the industry shipped 160.3 exabytes of compressed tape capacity in 2025, marking it as the second-highest year on record despite a 9% decline from 2024. Notably, shipments rose by 57% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, indicating a strong demand driven by AI and conventional archival storage needs.
The LTO Program Technology Provider Companies, which include major players like Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, and Quantum, highlight that the increased volume of data from AI systems necessitates robust storage solutions. Hugues Meyrath, CEO of Quantum, mentioned that organizations face unprecedented data growth alongside rising costs and cyber resilience demands, prompting a renewed focus on tape storage as a reliable component of modern data infrastructure.
The demand for storage includes various forms such as training datasets and model checkpoints, which can require vast amounts of space. While traditional hard drives remain common for data backup, their capacity can struggle to meet these growing needs. In contrast, tape storage offers impressive capacities, with compressed tapes holding between 30TB and 250TB of data. Large tape libraries can house numerous cartridges, managed by robotic systems for efficient access.
Additionally, tape backup provides significant advantages, including lower power consumption since tapes can remain idle without needing to draw energy. Importantly, tape storage features an "air gap" security measure, ensuring that tapes are physically disconnected from networks when stored, offering protection against cyber threats.
As the AI revolution continues to expand the volume of data that organizations must store, tape storage is solidifying its role as a strategic asset in the landscape of technological infrastructure.
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