RAM prices have been skyrocketing significantly due to the recent AI boom. RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is short-term memory that virtually all modern devices with a digital processor use. It temporarily stores data that a processor can instantly interact with, and is a fundamental component of all modern computers. However, the past few years have seen an unprecedented upsurge in AI activity; accordingly, large AI companies such as OpenAI or Anthropic have begun to rely on substantial amounts of RAM to support their massive data centers. The result is a classic case of supply and demand: RAM shortages in other parts of the tech industry have been met with corresponding spikes in RAM prices. Experts hypothesize that these price hikes are going to persist well into 2027 and potentially beyond.