Major Crisis in 2026, Masses Rush for New 'Treasure'

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The world is facing a major chip memory shortage crisis. This phenomenon has been occurring since the end of 2025, when the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology became increasingly massive. As a result, demand for high-capacity chips (HBM) for AI has surged sharply. Chip manufacturers have then prioritised fulfilling AI chip demand, making conventional chips for consumer electronic devices - such as mobile phones and laptops - scarce and increasingly expensive. Amid this shortage crisis, demand for memory chips remains high. This has already impacted the skyrocketing prices of components and led to adjustments in the selling prices of laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. The world and technology giants are competing for chip supplies that are currently akin to precious treasures. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced that global semiconductor sales reached US$295.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026. That figure shows a 25% year-on-year (YoY) increase. Through March 2026, sales reached US$99.5 billion, recording a 79.2% growth compared to the same period last year. Monthly sales data is collected by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation. SIA itself represents 99% of the US semiconductor industry in terms of revenue, and nearly two-thirds of non-US chip firms. “Global chip sales are on track to reach US$1 trillion in 2026, with first-quarter sales already surpassing fourth-quarter 2025 sales,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA, quoted from its official website. “Strong sales in the Asia Pacific, Americas, and China regions are driving global semiconductor market growth. This demonstrates broader and solid demand for semiconductors and the many technology products produced,” he explained. Regionally, YoY sales in March 2026 increased sharply in Asia Pacific (108.5%), Americas (83.1%), China (74.8%), Europe (46.5%), and Japan (7.4%).