Micron Says AI Memory Crunch Could Last Beyond 2027 as DRAM Demand Soars - Yahoo Finance

Micron Technology forecasts that memory shortages may persist beyond 2027 due to surging demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI), with 2027 expected to be even tighter than 2026. Executive Vice ... Read original →

The explosive growth in AI memory demand is fundamentally reshaping the semiconductor ecosystem. Micron forecasts continued DRAM and HBM supply shortages beyond 2027, driven by generative and agentic AI workloads that significantly increase bandwidth and capacity needs. This shift pushes production toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM), reducing conventional DDR output. The long lead times and capital intensity of advanced fab construction hinder supply responsiveness. Technologically, the evolution from HBM3E to HBM4E is becoming standard, yet ramp-up cycles exceed 24 months, constraining short-term relief. Geopolitical dynamics, including U.S. export controls and incentives for domestic manufacturing, are prompting companies to restructure supply chains and increase U.S. investments. Competitors like SK Hynix and Samsung are expanding HBM capacity, but overall market imbalance persists. In the next 12–24 months, AI chip-memory co-development will intensify, creating new lock-in effects and forcing downstream firms to secure capacity early, deepening supply chain transformation.