Acute global shortage of memory chips that is straining technology industries worldwide. This supply crisis is primarily attributed to the soaring demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure build-outs, which are exceeding the capacity of manufacturers. The resulting scarcity has caused prices to soar for all types of memory, from simple flash drives to advanced high-bandwidth memory (HBM), forcing major tech players like Google and Microsoft to compete intensely for dwindling stocks. Consequences are being felt by consumers, with Japanese stores imposing purchasing limits and Chinese companies warning of smartphone price increases.