OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes keeping large amounts of RAM in personal computers is an inefficient use of the world’s limited memory supply, arguing that data centers can put those resources to better use. His comments come as growing demand for AI infrastructure continues to push up memory prices, affecting everything from laptops to smartphones.
Speaking with Stripe co-founder John Collison on the Cheeky Pint podcast, published October 29, Altman discussed the global DRAM shortage and questioned whether running AI models locally makes economic sense when memory supplies remain constrained.
Sam Altman Wants More RAM Utilized in Data Centers
During the interview, Altman argued that running open-source AI models on personal computers does not necessarily solve the industry’s growing demand for computing resources.
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He described consumers keeping large amounts of DRAM in machines that see limited use as “quite terrible” from a global resource allocation perspective, adding that cloud infrastructure offers better utilization.
“But from a global allocation perspective, actually, it’s quite terrible to have everybody have a bunch of the world’s limited supply of DRAM sitting in their own computer.”
Altman estimated that personal computers use their memory only 5% of the time, although he provided no supporting data for that figure. He believes concentrating memory in cloud infrastructure allows companies to serve more users with shared hardware.
AI Demand Is Already Making Consumer Devices More Expensive
The comments arrive during a major memory shortage, with AI companies purchasing enormous quantities of DRAM and high-bandwidth memory for their infrastructure.
Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing lucrative data center contracts, leaving consumer electronics companies facing higher component costs. Apple has already raised prices on several Macs and iPads as memory prices increase.
However, local processing offers advantages that centralized AI infrastructure cannot always provide, including offline access, lower network latency, and greater control over sensitive information.
Apple, for example, continues to develop on-device AI processing alongside its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.
Altman’s argument also raises questions about consumer choice, particularly as OpenAI and other AI companies invest heavily in the same data centers competing for limited memory supplies.
For users who need RAM for gaming, software development, video editing, or local AI models, keeping that memory inside their computers remains essential regardless of how efficiently cloud providers can utilize their hardware.
He just showed the world what a waste his education was, he learned nothing from history. Consolidation of resources into single points always leads to disaster.
Next thing he will announce is having electricity and water in your house is a waste because data centers need them more.
He can F off to the farthest depths of space and further than that.
Translation: “Open models are good enough for most people and could destroy my business, so I don’t want people to have them.”
Of course he’s going to say that because he and his AI buddies want it all for their equipment. He’s a snake oil salesman. I trust nothing he says.
Hated him before, hate him more after reading this
Why doesnt he share money hoarded in offshore accounts so that circular economy keeps running? Money being hoarded by few is quite inefficient with the limited resources in the world.
Fuck Sam Altmann and his entire family. That fucking piece of garbage is one of the main reasons RAM prices are skyrocketing
He can F right off with that garbage.
He wants to centralize AI.
Yeah but he doesn’t get decide if people can’t have ram, water or power