AI causes memory shortage in the market

Artificial intelligence has recently increased demand for memory (RAM and SSD), leading to a global shortage and rising prices. According to Reuters, DRAM prices rose more than 50% at the beginning of the current quarter compared to the start of the fourth quarter of 2025, and surged by 30% at the end of 2025. Further growth is expected by another 40% in the coming months and 20% at the beginning of 2026. In 2026, data centers are expected to use 70% of all produced memory.

Context

Manufacturers such as Micron and SK Hynix are switching factories to high-performance HBM memory, limiting supplies to the consumer market and maintaining high prices.