Micron, Sandisk Surge as AI Inference Drives $633.3 Billion Memory Boom
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · May 18
Micron, Sandisk Surge as AI Inference Drives $633.3 Billion Memory Boom
3 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · May 18
Micron has climbed 639% and Sandisk nearly 3,400% over the past year as investors bet AI inference will make memory makers the next major infrastructure winners.
Deloitte estimates inference will account for two-thirds of AI data-center compute this year, up from 50% in 2025, lifting demand for DRAM, NAND flash, storage and high-bandwidth memory.
That demand is colliding with tight supply: industry participants warn shortages could persist at least into next year, supporting further price increases for memory chips.
Gartner forecasts memory-industry revenue will reach $633.3 billion in 2026—about 2.9 times prior levels—far outpacing broader semiconductor growth as AI expands from data centers to PCs, phones and cars.
Is the AI memory 'supercycle' a permanent market shift, or could software breakthroughs suddenly burst the hardware bubble?
As AI expands from data centers to physical robots, what new hardware bottlenecks will emerge beyond just memory?
2026 AI Memory Boom: How Supply Shortages and AI Demand Are Reshaping the Global Memory Market
Overview
The global memory market is undergoing an unprecedented boom known as the 'AI Memory Supercycle.' This surge is driven by sustained tension, tight supply, and rising prices, marking a sharp break from decades when memory chips were cheap and plentiful. The current shortage is so severe that it is expected to last well into 2027, giving key players strong pricing power. As a result, memory is no longer a simple commodity but a strategic asset, fundamentally reshaping the technology landscape and increasing costs across the industry.