One year into the AI-induced RAM apocalypse — how much does memory actually cost, and is there hope for a more affordable future?

Since the summer of 2025, the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has triggered severe disruptions in the global semiconductor and storage device markets. In 2026, the memory market has exper... Read original →

The AI-driven surge in memory prices reveals deep fragility in the global semiconductor supply chain. Technologically, the demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and DDR5 from AI chips has overwhelmed DDR4 production, forcing players like Crucial to pivot toward enterprise-grade offerings. This shift is reshaping the consumer PC memory landscape and intensifying competition for 3nm and below processes. From a compliance perspective, geopolitical tensions, especially around Taiwan and Hong Kong, are heightening supply chain risks, compelling firms to reassess regional production strategies. In competitive terms, NVIDIA and AMD are pursuing in-house memory controller development to reduce dependency, while Intel and SK Hynix are ramping up investments to capture premium market share. Looking ahead 12–24 months, memory pricing is expected to remain elevated, particularly as AI model complexity accelerates, making compute-memory co-design a critical strategic focus.