What if the RAM/GPU shortage is deliberate? (xn--vk5b17r.online)

An intriguing theory has emerged suggesting that the ongoing RAM and GPU shortages may be a deliberate strategy by major AI companies to protect their subscription-based business models amid rising competition from Chinese AI models. In early 2025, the release of high-performing models like Alibaba's Qwen2.5 and DeepSeek-R1, available under permissive licenses for free use, posed a significant threat to traditional monetization strategies. This shift in the competitive landscape wiped nearly $1 trillion off tech market valuations, prompting concerns about users opting for free alternatives over paid subscriptions. As demand for AI services surged, companies reportedly engaged in aggressive procurement of RAM and GPUs, leading to severe shortages and skyrocketing prices—for example, the cost of 16 GB DDR4 RAM increased from €26.45 to €235.90 within a year. This buying spree not only secured resources for data centers but also inadvertently discouraged hobbyists from running powerful models locally, thereby maintaining user dependence on subscription services. Additionally, the U.S. government's consideration of restrictions on Chinese AI models indicates a desire to safeguard domestic AI companies, underscoring the competitive tensions and potential long-term implications for consumers facing a landscape of dwindling hardware availability and rising prices.