3 min learnNew DelhiFeb 17, 2026 08:28 PM IST
AI has redefined our lives and work to a sure extent, serving to us get issues that might take days to do in a matter of seconds. Nevertheless, the expertise has additionally triggered a short lived reminiscence and storage scarcity all over the world, one that may final for years to come back.
Now, a number of trade leaders, together with Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner, are saying that we could also be heading in the direction of a world disaster. The reminiscence chip scarcity is already inflicting earnings to take a dip, with Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker, reporting a 21 per cent revenue drop.
In the previous couple of months, tech giants have invested billions in AI knowledge centres, resulting in a scarcity of DRAM – one of many constructing blocks of just about all trendy expertise.
Whereas Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner has stated that the worldwide crunch will compress iPhone margins, Musk has stated that they could should construct their very personal reminiscence fabrication crops.
Final month, Musk stated throughout an earnings name that Tesla must construct a “TeraFab”, a large semiconductor plant that might assist it “take away the possible constraint in three or 4 years.”
The billionaire added that present tech giants like TSMC, Samsung and Micron Know-how, which not too long ago shut down its consumer-facing model Essential, are unable to supply Tesla the variety of chips it must function.
“We’ve obtained two selections: hit the chip wall or make a fab”, Musk added.
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One of many principal causes behind the reminiscence crunch is AI knowledge centres. Tech giants like Google and OpenAI have booked orders for a big chunk of reminiscence chips to energy their AI chatbots.
This has additionally triggered PC, smartphone and laptop computer costs to soar considerably in the previous couple of months.
Bloomberg says {that a} sort of DRAM has recorded a 75% worth improve from December 2025 to January 2026, and retailers are altering their technique. The report goes on to say that regardless of rising costs, the provides are working dry even earlier than the development of those enormous AI knowledge centres begins.
Consequently, Sony can be reportedly pushing again the PlayStation 6 launch date to 2028 or 2029. Swap 2, Nintendo’s newest handheld gaming console, can be contemplating rising the value of its system this 12 months.
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Digital giants like Dell, Samsung and Xiaomi are actually warning clients to prepare for worth hikes this 12 months, with some estimates claiming that the price of DRAM, or RAM, might quickly account for 30% of the overall value of a smartphone’s invoice of supplies.