OpenAI Billionaire: PCs Are ‘Terrible’ When Data Centers Need More Memory
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman argued that, amid limited global supplies of memory chips, it is inefficient for people to keep large amounts of DRAM in personal computers that are used only part of the time. He said more centralised cloud computing could make better use of the available memory, a view that has drawn criticism because OpenAI’s demand is itself linked to the shortage.
The article says OpenAI is expected to account for 40% of global DRAM supply through 2029, and links chip constraints to higher console prices and the cost of building gaming PCs. In an interview with YouTube channel Cheeky Pint, Altman also said he hoped energy, supply and production costs would fall, adding that supply would need to grow substantially for that to happen. The article connects the push towards cloud services with companies’ ability to control access to digital content.
In short
- Altman says cloud systems could use scarce memory more efficiently.
- OpenAI is expected to account for 40% of DRAM supply through 2029.
- He says costs need to fall and supply needs to grow.