By Elena Fabrichnaya and Gleb Bryanski

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Financial tech firms are using AI to try to persuade Russians to cash in their gold at automated machines, although despite this year’s more than 60% price rally they are facing scepticism.

Russia, which holds more than a third of its reserves in gold, authorised automated sales of the precious metal last year. But while the companies rolling out the ATMs say interest in selling has risen, Russians have not rushed to part with their gold in the same way as people have elsewhere.

Russians are not only hoping for further price rises, some say they see few alternatives to gold in terms of investment safety as sanctions have made it hard for them to invest in Western currencies or other assets.

Some Russian families hold gold coins m

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