AI Is Driving Up the Price of Consumer Electronics

Driven by the AI boom, chip manufacturers are pivoting production lines toward megacorporate clients. The move will make consumer electronics even less affordable.

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Hardware essential to consumer electronics like laptops and gaming consoles is set to go up in price as manufacturers turn toward production for AI. Ordinary people who rely on these devices will pick up the tab. (Maika Elan / Bloomberg via Getty Images)


The artificial intelligence craze likely just delivered more industry-wide price hikes on household electronics.

After accepting billions in taxpayer subsidies, the technology company Micron is shutting down its generic line of consumer-facing chip products to instead focus exclusively on its megacorporation AI customers.

The move is expected to drastically limit market competition and raise prices for essential materials for personal computers, gaming consoles, and other electronics.

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