Artificial intelligence infrastructure spending is tightening global memory supply and reshaping the semiconductor cycle. Speaking at the 2026 Trans-Pacific Dialogue in Washington, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said demand for AI memory is distorting supply chains and pledged to expand production of what he described as "monster chips."
Micron Technology is accelerating capacity expansion in response to what executives describe as the most severe memory supply shortage in more than 40 years, driven by surging demand for AI infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence is shifting the center of gravity in semiconductors. For decades, processors defined performance. Now memory bandwidth, capacity and energy efficiency increasingly determine how much of a GPU's power can actually be used.
The global memory industry is facing its most severe supply crunch in more than a decade. DRAM and NAND prices are rising at record speed, while high-bandwidth memory capacity is increasingly absorbed by artificial intelligence data centers.
The Pentagon briefly published an updated list of Chinese companies alleged to have ties to the People’s Liberation Army, then withdrew it within an hour. The episode highlights Washington’s attempt to ease trade tensions with Beijing while maintaining pressure on technology and national security ahead of an expected April meeting between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
Apple has reportedly agreed to double the unit price it pays for NAND flash from Japan's Kioxia starting in the January–March quarter, with supply contracts moving to quarterly price adjustments linked to market conditions.
