Industry coalition urges Trump administration to take urgent action as AI data centers’ extreme memory consumption threatens other industries — AI-driven memory

Industry coalition urges Trump administration to take urgent action as AI data centers' extreme memory consumption threatens other industries — AI-driven memory

Risks are emerging despite billions of dollars of US investment in domestic semiconductor supply chains

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works .

The coalition warned that the AI data center expansion, which has consumed an unprecedented share of global memory capacity , has led to a memory chip shortage that could lead to higher prices for consumer electronics, increased costs for broadband and telecommunications infrastructure, disruptions to automobile and medical device production, and delays affecting federal contractors attempting to fulfill government procurement obligations. The letter argues that these risks are emerging despite billions of dollars of US investment intended to strengthen domestic semiconductor supply chains.

The signatories acknowledged AI's importance but argue it shouldn't come at the expense of the rest of the economy. "While recent developments in AI offer the promise of generational technological advances and are important for US tech leadership, we must also ensure other key industries are not negatively impacted by this disruption in the marketplace," the coalition said.

The organizations are asking the administration to work directly with memory suppliers and major chip buyers to address the imbalance. Their recommendations include accelerating expansion of memory manufacturing capacity in the United States and allied nations, using trade agreements to strengthen supply-chain resilience, ensuring adequate memory supply for non-AI industries, leveraging CHIPS Act programs where possible, and reducing regulatory barriers that may slow capacity growth.

"We urge the Administration to work with memory chipmakers and chip buyers to assess steps that can be taken to address this imbalance in the memory market and protect against harm to consumers, workers, and businesses of all sizes," the letter states.

Samsung and SK hynix warn AI-driven memory shortages could last until 2027 and beyond, as HBM demand explodes

Chinese chip industry leaders admit the country lags five to ten years behind in AI data center chips

US trade deficit hits a record $1.2 trillion as AI hardware imports surge under the Trump administration

The warning arrives as memory manufacturers increasingly prioritize high-bandwidth memory (HBM), the specialized memory used in AI accelerators from companies such as Nvidia and AMD. Demand for HBM has surged over the past two years as hyperscalers race to deploy larger AI clusters, prompting memory suppliers to devote an increasing share of their production capacity to AI-oriented products.

Samsung and SK Hynix — which together with Micron control over 95% of global DRAM production — have been diverting wafer capacity toward high-margin HBM for AI accelerators, starving the commodity DRAM and NAND markets in the process. Both companies warned in April that significant shortages will continue through at least 2027 . IDC, meanwhile, has already revised its 2026 PC market forecast downward by up to 9% as a direct consequence of memory scarcity and rising prices.

Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.

Key considerations

  • Investor positioning can change fast
  • Volatility remains possible near catalysts
  • Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows

Reference reading

More on this site

Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.

Leave a Comment