The head of SK Hynix explained possible timelines for the end of memory shortages

Short overview of the memory and AI situation

- Memory shortage is increasing – due to rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a severe deficit in all types of memory, affecting almost every segment of electronics.

- Forecast to 2030 – SK hynix CEO Chey Tae‑won believes the shortage will persist for several more years, until the end of the decade.

Why the head of SK hynix has solid grounds
1. Leading manufacturer – SK hynix is the second largest memory producer after Samsung Electronics and leads the HBM (High‑Bandwidth Memory) segment thanks to close ties with Nvidia.

2. New projects – Nikkei Asian Review reports that Chey Tae‑won was invited to the GTC 2026 conference in California, where Nvidia announced a new AI platform Vera Rubin. Chey notes that to meet demand, the industry will need another 4–5 years.

Production expansion strategy
- Stay domestic – unlike TSMC, SK hynix currently does not plan to scale production outside South Korea.

- Resource issue – when building overseas fabs, the main barrier is access to water and energy; government subsidies do not solve this problem.

- Focus on price stabilization – limited capacity to increase memory output forces companies first to seek price stability.

Impact of external factors
- Middle East events – military conflicts hinder access to energy supplies and affect prices. SK hynix must find alternative energy sources to keep production running.

- Potential entry into the U.S. market – despite geopolitical risks, the company is considering listing American depositary receipts (ADRs) in the United States to gain access to large capital markets and accelerate growth.

Conclusion
The demand for AI chips, which has grown 10 000‑fold, creates a huge strain on memory supplies. SK hynix sees a long‑term shortage through 2030 and is not yet ready for mass overseas expansion due to resource constraints. Nevertheless, the company seeks ways to strengthen its financial position and maintain production resilience amid global upheavals.