The interaction of O-2 with gold foil and gold nanoparticles grown by thermal deposition on TiO2(110) was studied by in situ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature. No spontaneous dissociation of O-2 was observed either on Au foil or oil Au nanoparticles up to 1 Torr of O-2. X-ray irradiation, however, is very effective in promoting gold oxidation on both surfaces in the presence of O-2. Our results help reconcile recent conflicting experimental observations regarding the activation of molecular oxygen, which is a crucial issue in Au catalyzed oxidation reactions.