Sam Altman says RAM is better in AI data centers than in personal PCs

Summary

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a podcast interview that it is 'quite terrible' for people to keep RAM in their own PCs when it could go into AI data centers instead. Asked about supply chain shortages, including the ongoing RAM shortage, he called it 'terrible' to have RAM in personal computers rather than data centers. He made the remarks during his appearance on the Cheeky Pint podcast, where he also commented on AI's impact on math. Engadget reported that he described it as terrible for people to hold 'a bunch of the world's limited supply of DRAM' that they barely use, and TechRadar reported that the limited RAM available could be better allocated around the world.

Timeline

1. Tom's Hardware

   30 Oct 2026, 16:28 UTCSource ↗

   Tom's Hardware reports that Altman said in a podcast interview that it is 'quite terrible' for people to have RAM in their own PCs when it could go into AI data centers.

2. The Verge

   30 Oct 2026, 20:48 UTCSource ↗

   The Verge reports that, asked about supply chain shortages such as the ongoing RAM shortage, Altman said in an interview that it is 'terrible' to have RAM in personal PCs instead of data centers, during his appearance on the Cheeky Pint podcast.

3. TechRadar

   31 Oct 2026, 11:30 UTCSource ↗

   TechRadar reports that Altman says the limited RAM available could be better allocated around the world, framing his remark as calling it 'quite terrible' to use RAM in a PC when there is not enough for AI data centers.

4. Engadget

   31 Oct 2026, 15:07 UTCSource ↗

   Engadget reports that, in an interview, Altman said it is 'terrible' for people to have 'a bunch of the world's limited supply of DRAM' that they barely use in their own computers.