The AI frenzy is creating a big problem for consumer electronics

The world’s gadget-makers—who assembled this week in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show—would be forgiven for harbouring mixed feelings about the year ahead. Excitement over the prospect of clever new devices powered by artificial intelligence is as strong as ever. Yet by gobbling up memory chips, which are essential for everything from smartphones and personal computers (PCs) to gaming consoles and cars, AI is creating a supply crunch for electronics-makers.

The unusual electronic and optical properties of perovskites have long been touted as useful for improving solar cells and television screens, but these materials have never quite hit the big time. Existing approaches have hoovered up all the investment and attention, and perovskites remain confined to specialist applications.

The world’s gadget-makers—who assembled this week in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show—would be forgiven for harbouring mixed feelings about the year ahead. Excitement over the prospect of clever new devices powered by artificial intelligence is as strong as ever. Yet by gobbling up memory chips, which are essential for everything from smartphones and personal computers (PCs) to gaming consoles and cars, AI is creating a supply crunch for electronics-makers.