Memory in the Age of AI, Scarcity as the Default State?
ABSTRACT
The memory market is entering a phase where demand signals, supply responses, and investment patterns may no longer align with the way they have in past cycles. DRAM and NAND are both tight, but for different structural reasons, and the same suppliers must stretch limited capital across both technologies. At the same time, tool lead times, line conversions, and new-fab builds all move on multi-year timelines that slow supply elasticity.
These conditions raise the central question: is this simply another temporary imbalance in a familiar cycle, or does the combination of rising requirements and slow structural response suggest that scarcity could become the industry’s baseline state? This presentation explores both interpretations and their implications.
BIOGRAPHY
Mike Howard is Vice President of DRAM and Memory Markets at TechInsights, with nearly 20 years of experience analyzing the DRAM and broader memory industry. His work covers leading-edge topics such as HBM, AI-driven memory demand, and advanced manufacturing and packaging. He delivers insights through detailed quantitative modeling, clear visual communication, and engaging presentations that distill complex technical and market dynamics into actionable understanding for industry leaders.
Mike began his career at Micron, building a foundation in R&D engineering, marketing, and strategy that gave him a deep understanding of both the technical and commercial sides of the memory business. He then moved into market research, first as lead DRAM analyst at iSuppli, then at IHS, before establishing the DRAM research service at Yole. In 2023, he joined TechInsights, where he now leads DRAM and memory market analysis.
This blend of technical expertise, market research leadership, and an extensive industry network has made Mike a trusted resource for navigating one of the most complex and strategically important segments of semiconductors.