Samsung plans to equip 800 million devices with its Galaxy AI features in 2024, effectively doubling its AI-enabled output. The announcement, made by co-CEO TM Roh to Reuters, signals the company’s aggressive push to integrate artificial intelligence across its entire product line. This expansion isn’t just about adding features; it’s a strategic response to a growing global demand for AI-capable hardware.
Galaxy AI: Core Features and Availability
Galaxy AI encompasses a suite of tools designed to enhance user experience, including:
- Circle to Search: A quick way to identify items on screen.
- Live Translate: Real-time translation during phone calls.
- Writing Assistant: AI-powered help for composing text.
- Generative Editing: Tools to modify and create images using AI.
- AI Wallpapers: Custom wallpaper generation.
Currently, these capabilities are available on a wide range of Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S23, S24, and S25 series, the Z Fold and Z Flip lines, and select Galaxy Tab models. This widespread deployment demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to making AI accessible to a broad consumer base.
The RAM Crunch: A Global Supply Chain Bottleneck
The surge in AI adoption is creating unprecedented strain on the global RAM supply chain. Samsung, despite being a major RAM manufacturer, is facing shortages due to overwhelming demand from AI data centers and high-end devices. The CEO acknowledged the situation, stating no company is immune to the impact, and did not rule out potential price increases.
“As this situation is unprecedented, no company is immune to its impact.” – TM Roh, Samsung Co-CEO
This isn’t an isolated issue. Apple’s iPhone 16 is already increasing RAM to 16GB to support its own AI features, and memory manufacturer Micron has even shut down its consumer brand, Crucial, to focus on higher-margin enterprise clients like OpenAI.
The AI-Driven Demand for Memory
AI systems, particularly those powering large language models like ChatGPT, require enormous amounts of DRAM (dynamic random access memory). OpenAI alone is projected to consume approximately 40% of DRAM output from South Korean firms Samsung and SK Hynix. This staggering statistic highlights the scale of the demand and the pressure it puts on manufacturers.
The trend is clear: the AI boom is not just a software revolution; it’s a hardware revolution that is reshaping supply chains and driving up costs. The convergence of high demand and constrained supply will likely lead to price increases across multiple electronics categories, including smartphones, computers, and even automobiles.
In conclusion: Samsung’s aggressive AI integration, coupled with the broader industry-wide RAM shortage, illustrates a fundamental shift in the tech landscape. AI is no longer a future promise; it’s an immediate driver of demand, reshaping production, pricing, and the very structure of the electronics market.
