- As AI data centers consume an ever-increasing amount of RAM chips, researchers are looking for cheaper, more scalable alternatives
- imec research seen by many to be the answer, even as engineering challenges continue to exist
- Two published studies using ferroelectric materials show capacitors essentially able to replicate modern DRAM functionality
It is no secret that AI has affected much of the world, with many welcoming the advent of a “smart” digital assistant, with others using it to speed up the more mundane tasks that previously required oversight.
On the flip side of the equation, some finding their jobs redundant, others being forced to upskill or pivot to different industries just to eke out a living in 2026.
There is however, one area which has been significantly impacted where the effect might have been understated so far: the PC hardware industry.
DRAM for data centers first
The reason the PC hardware industry (and, to a lesser degree, the smartphone and game console industries), or any industry that uses fast RAM and NAND flash for its core functionality, is affected is overwhelming demand in data centers.
With billions of dollars in buildouts and procurement budgets, the average consumer is unlikely to compete for memory with a data center being built by hyperscalers and with good reason: there is simply too much money at stake here.
The problem for data centers, however, is a different one: despite consuming nearly 70% of all memory produced in 2026, resulting in the worst memory supply crunch in the last 15 years, things are projected to only get worse, even as demand continues to grow unabated.
With memory giant Micron telling consumers to wait till 2028 before they can expect any relief in their segment, and SSDs heading down the same path, thanks to a similar situation when it comes to high-density NAND flash-based storage, AI data centers are also looking for a memory…
