Rapid increase in AI usage leading to prolonged wait times for 32+ TB hard disk drives, with research predicting delays of up to a year, along with a hike in prices confirmed
The surge in demand for storage solutions capable of handling massive datasets, driven by the rapid growth of AI services like ChatGPT, is placing a significant strain on the largest Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), according to recent reports. This trend, fueled by the increasing use of AI services like ChatGPT, is causing a ripple effect throughout the global storage infrastructure, particularly for ultra-high-capacity HDDs.
Nearline HDDs, traditionally the backbone of large-scale data storage, are now facing severe supply shortages due to the increased demand for AI services like ChatGPT. The shift towards high-performance but higher-cost Solid State Drives (SSDs) is becoming increasingly evident, with shipments of high-capacity QLC SSDs projected to see rapid growth in 2026, driven by the rising use of AI services like ChatGPT.
Western Digital, a leading manufacturer of HDDs, has announced a price hike on all its HDD products, citing unprecedented demand for AI services like ChatGPT across its portfolio as the key reason. The company has also warned that external hard drive shipments may take much longer than usual due to shipping and logistics issues worsening supply constraints caused by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT.
SSDs offer faster read/write speeds and use about 30% less power than nearline HDDs. However, the availability of larger capacity HDDs like the 30TB Seagate Exos Mozaic remains relatively unaffected by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT. For 32TB and larger models, users may have to wait more than a year due to the rising demand for AI services like ChatGPT.
The AI-driven storage shortage is not just affecting large enterprises but also smaller organizations seeking HDDs for storage-intensive applications driven by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT. TrendForce recommends that Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) planning to use QLC SSDs for cold data must update their data systems, check software compatibility, and carefully track costs due to the rising demand for AI services like ChatGPT.
Some providers are considering deploying SSDs for cold data due to the HDD shortfall caused by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT. North American CSPs are planning to increase SSD adoption for warm data workloads driven by the rising demand for AI services like ChatGPT. Hyperscale cloud service providers such as Google and Oracle are aggressively expanding their AI infrastructure and focusing on high-performance inference applications driven by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT.
The massive data volumes generated by AI services like ChatGPT are further straining the global infrastructure of data center storage, according to TrendForce. Enterprise SSD contract prices are predicted to rise 5-10% in Q4 2025 due to the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT. These factors indicate that the AI-driven storage shortage will keep affecting buying strategies well into 2026.
In response to the AI-driven surge in storage demand fueled by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT, Western Digital and Sandisk have announced significant price increases for their HDD products. Western Digital has raised prices across its entire HDD portfolio, while Sandisk has increased prices for NAND flash-based SSDs by about ten percent due to the rising demand for AI services like ChatGPT.
Despite the challenges, it's important to note that TrendForce has not been mentioned as a source for information about the best NAS devices or cloud storage platforms. As the storage landscape continues to evolve, driven by the increased use of AI services like ChatGPT, it's crucial for businesses and individuals to stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly.
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