Is another chip crisis coming like the one in 2020? Everything points in the same direction

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced that global chip sales will reach approximately 848 billion euros by 2026, representing a 25.6% increase compared to the 617 billion reported in 2025.

This remarkable growth is primarily driven by the enormous investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure by major tech companies, which are allocating billions of euros to the construction of data centers capable of meeting the growing demand.

In this context, advanced computing chips have been crucial, with a 39.9% increase in 2025, reaching sales of 256 billion euros. No one wants the same thing to happen as what has occurred with RAM.

RAM is the mirror where the semiconductor industry can see itself

Leading companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel at the forefront of the production of these essential components. At the same time, the memory sector has also benefited considerably, experiencing a 34.8% growth in sales, nearing 189 billion euros, due to the increasing need for resources for AI processing, which has resulted in a supply shortage.

The president of the SIA has described this year as “a year of record orders,” especially for small businesses. However, he has also expressed concern about the sustainability of this surge in AI demand and its potential impact on prices.

The current environment in the sector is marked by a widespread increase in costs, which has led the involved parties to negotiate strategies to remain competitive.

The relevance of chips has evolved, shifting from being invisible components to becoming a critical bottleneck in the tech industry. This situation highlights the urgency for those involved in the sector to adapt to market fluctuations, where growth does not seem to show signs of slowing down in the short term.