At the end of last year, Micron Technology announced that it would be focusing all sales of RAM (Random Access Memory) hardware on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector. This has led to a dramatic increase in RAM prices as consumer-available supplies begin to disappear.
What does this mean for the average American?
Well, RAM in some form is used in almost all modern electronics: your phone, tablet, laptop, TV, even your smart watch. Many of the things you use every day rely on RAM to function properly, so this shortage not only impacts consumers’ abilities to purchase RAM itself but also many other products. It is expected that companies that use RAM in their products will need to pass some of those costs to consumers.
Additionally, when it comes to home appliances, consumers appear to be prioritizing ones that advertise “smart features”. Most owners of smart appliances agree that the features these appliances offer benefit their daily lives. For example, AI technology is being used in washing machines to optimize water usage, limiting water overconsumption automatically. Smart kitchen appliances such as fridges and ovens are using AI to keep track of inventory and maintain cooking temperatures. Even robotic cleaners use AI to create maps of a home’s floor plan to optimize pathing.
However, this integration of artificial intelligence into everyday household objects requires more RAM. This shortage means that these products will be more expensive. Will customers dig deeper into their pockets for these features, or will they move back to traditional appliances?
It doesn’t appear that this shortage is going to end anytime soon. According to Christopher Moore, Micron’s VP of Marketing, Mobile and Client Business Unit, consumers are unlikely to see any changes in RAM price or availability until 2028.
The future of AI and smart appliances is intertwined. Despite many concerns over the environmental impact of the large data centers needed to run and maintain servers and the ethics regarding their use, the AI sector shows no sign of slowing down. Will consumers and other companies be able to keep up?
