AI Demand Could Keep the Memory Chip Boom Going Until 2030, Etron Chairman Says
The global memory chip market is entering a powerful new growth cycle, driven largely by the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and edge computing. According to Etron Technology chairman Nicky Lu, the current memory boom may not end anytime soon. In fact, he believes strong demand could continue beyond 2027, with supply shortages potentially stretching through 2028 and possibly into 2030.
This outlook reflects a major structural change in the semiconductor industry. For years, the memory market has been known for its ups and downs, with periods of oversupply often followed by price drops. However, the AI revolution is changing that pattern. As data centers, AI servers, smart devices, and edge computing systems require more powerful and efficient memory solutions, demand is becoming more stable and harder to reduce.
Lu pointed out that artificial intelligence is creating what he described as rigid demand across the memory supply chain. In simple terms, companies developing AI infrastructure cannot easily cut back on memory needs because high-performance computing depends heavily on fast and reliable memory capacity. This is especially true for AI training, AI inference, advanced servers, and edge devices that process data closer to users.
The growing importance of edge computing is adding another layer of pressure. As more devices handle AI tasks locally, from industrial machines to smart vehicles and connected gadgets, the need for specialized memory components continues to rise. This shift is pushing manufacturers to prioritize higher-value products instead of focusing only on traditional memory applications.
As a result, the memory supply chain is becoming more selective. Companies are increasingly directing resources toward advanced and profitable segments linked to AI, high-performance computing, automotive electronics, and smart infrastructure. This could keep overall supply tight, especially if production capacity does not expand quickly enough to match demand.
The possibility of memory shortages lasting into the end of the decade could have wide effects across the tech industry. Prices for certain memory products may remain elevated, while device makers and cloud service providers may face stronger competition for supply. At the same time, memory manufacturers could benefit from a longer period of healthy demand and improved margins.
For consumers, the impact may vary depending on the product category. AI servers and enterprise hardware are likely to feel the pressure first, but the effects could eventually influence pricing and availability for personal computers, smartphones, gaming devices, smart home products, and electric vehicles.
Lu’s comments suggest that the memory market is no longer being driven only by short-term cycles. Instead, AI and edge computing are reshaping the industry’s long-term direction. If demand continues at its current pace, the memory chip boom may become one of the most important semiconductor trends of the decade.
With artificial intelligence expanding across nearly every part of the digital economy, memory chips are becoming a key foundation for future technology. If supply remains constrained through 2028 or even 2030, the industry could be facing a prolonged era where advanced memory becomes one of the most valuable resources in the global tech supply chain.
