Memory Chip Shortages from AI Demand Expected to Last Until 2027
The surge in AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) has outstripped supply, creating a market imbalance that shows no signs of abating. Prices for HBM chips have soared as data center operators and AI developers corner available inventory, leaving other industries scrambling for scraps.
"This isn't a temporary blip—it's a structural shift," says Sassine Ghazi, CEO of semiconductor design firm Synopsys. "When every available memory module gets funneled into AI infrastructure, traditional electronics manufacturers get squeezed out."
Major producers like Samsung and SK Hynix are racing to expand capacity, but new fabrication plants won't come online fast enough to meet demand. Industry analysts predict shortages will persist through at least 2026, potentially extending into 2027. The crunch presents both challenges for device makers and windfall profits for memory manufacturers.
