CEO of Intel Lip-Bu Tan stated at the AI Infra Summit that the global memory shortage is intensifying. This deficit is delaying projects and causing component prices to rise by five to seven times. Limited production capacity remains a critical issue for the industry.
Data from TrendForce indicates that DRAM manufacturers saw revenue grow by 59.5% in the second quarter compared to the previous period. While contract price growth for standard DRAM is expected to slow to 13–18% in the third quarter, supply remains constrained due to low inventory levels.
The expansion of AI infrastructure has shifted production focus toward HBM, DDR5, and RDIMM components. As a result, supply for consumer electronics like smartphones and laptops is lagging. Small manufacturers are now forced to redesign devices or repurpose older components to cope with the scarcity.
Industry leaders project long-term challenges. SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-Jung identified 2027 as a potential record year for supply shortages, with demand likely exceeding capacity beyond 2030. Memory is just one hurdle alongside power access and cooling system requirements.
Intel is currently investing in liquid and microfluidic cooling technologies to support complex server infrastructure. The company continues to collaborate with Nvidia on data center and PC products, even as they compete in the broader AI hardware market.
