AI is reshaping the memory market faster than anyone expected. Hyperscalers like AWS, Google, Oracle, and Microsoft are locking in DRAM, HBM, and NAND supply all the way to 2028, creating a prolonged DRAM supply crunch that’s keeping prices elevated through 2026 (and likely beyond).

For everyone outside the cloud giants — enterprises, AI startups, OEMs — this means higher costs, longer lead times, and the need for smarter IT planning. The secondary hardware market is also becoming a critical option as budgets tighten and demand keeps climbing.

• Why AI is driving historic memory shortages • How CSPs are securing long-term capacity • When analysts expect relief (hint: not soon) • What businesses can do to adapt