# Altman says data centres use scarce memory more efficiently than personal computers

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sam-altman-says-its-better-for-ram-to-be-in-a-data-center-than-on-your-desk/
- Published: 2026-10-30T20:48:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T21:07:44+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1023820/sam-altman-ram-shortage-cloud-servers
- Topics: AI, Business, Companies, Technology

## Key points

- Altman says cloud data centres can use scarce RAM more efficiently.
- Major cloud and AI projects have reserved much of future memory supply.
- The competition for chips is pushing up consumer technology prices.

## Summary

Sam Altman argued that, during a severe memory shortage, it is better for the world’s limited DRAM supply to be concentrated in data centres than in personal computers. He said cloud servers can keep memory in use more of the time, challenging the view that running AI models locally would reduce demand for data-centre resources.

Altman made the comments on the Cheeky Pint podcast while discussing supply-chain constraints and local AI inference. The article says Samsung and SK Hynix have struck long-term deals with cloud operators and projects such as OpenAI’s Stargate, reserving much of their expected RAM output for the next few years. Heavy spending on memory by these buyers is contributing to higher prices for laptops, phones and other technology.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.