Samsung is bracing for a price hike as the global RAM shortage worsens, driven by the insatiable appetite for high-bandwidth memory in AI data centers. According to Wonjin Lee, Samsung's global marketing leader, the semiconductor supply chain is under pressure, and prices are already on the rise.
The situation is dire, with companies such as Greyhound Research warning that the AI craze may be fueled by a bubble. The technology has become increasingly reliant on memory, with training and inference systems requiring large amounts of persistent memory and extreme bandwidth.
As the demand for RAM continues to outstrip supply, manufacturers are struggling to keep pace, leading to shortages in both high-bandwidth and low-bandwidth memory. Even cars, which typically use low-bandwidth RAM, are not immune to the shortage.
Samsung's Lee acknowledged that prices will have to rise to reflect the reality of the situation, but noted that consumers would bear the brunt of the cost increases. The company is preparing for a potential repricing of its products ahead of an official announcement.
The situation is dire, with companies such as Greyhound Research warning that the AI craze may be fueled by a bubble. The technology has become increasingly reliant on memory, with training and inference systems requiring large amounts of persistent memory and extreme bandwidth.
As the demand for RAM continues to outstrip supply, manufacturers are struggling to keep pace, leading to shortages in both high-bandwidth and low-bandwidth memory. Even cars, which typically use low-bandwidth RAM, are not immune to the shortage.
Samsung's Lee acknowledged that prices will have to rise to reflect the reality of the situation, but noted that consumers would bear the brunt of the cost increases. The company is preparing for a potential repricing of its products ahead of an official announcement.