How AI is Harming Technology
The rapid ascent of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked debates not just about its potential benefits, but also about its far-reaching impact on the technology landscape. Unfortunately, many experts argue that AI is harming technology in various ways, leading to a ripple effect across industries and consumer products.
Catastrophic Chip Shortages
One of the most immediate repercussions of AI’s growth is the catastrophic chip shortage facing the tech industry. Major RAM manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are redirecting their production capabilities toward High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), essential for AI computations. Consequently, this shift has led to significant shortages of standard DRAM and NAND chips, which are vital for smartphones, laptops, and even critical medical devices. The prioritization of AI-related chips jeopardizes the availability of everyday technology, reshaping the landscape for consumers and businesses alike.
Rising Hardware Prices
As the shortage of essential memory types continues, the cost of building non-AI electronics is inevitably rising. By early 2026, industry analysts predict that prices for standard computer memory and storage drives (SSDs) will surge dramatically. Companies are focusing their financial resources on higher-margin AI chips, which leaves consumers facing inflated prices for standard electronics. Increasingly, people are turning to second-hand laptops and older devices simply because new models have become unaffordable.
Delays in GPU Availability
The pursuit of AI compute power has also resulted in significant delays for Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Typically used for rendering graphics in various devices, GPUs have become a bottleneck as demand for AI applications skyrockets. This backlog not only affects gamers and content creators but also delays the rollout of new devices that rely on GPUs for performance, limiting options for consumers and complicating development timelines for companies.
COVID-like Shortages
The diversion of chips to fuel AI infrastructure has evoked feelings reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic-related shortages. As companies prioritize AI over traditional hardware, our world is witnessing considerable delays in the production of basic components that are crucial for various industries. Whether it’s auto manufacturers needing power chips or home appliance creators requiring essential components, the ongoing chip shortages create a domino effect that is hard to ignore.
Impact on Startup Investments
The capital landscape for startups has tilted dramatically in favor of AI ventures. Non-AI startups often struggle to secure funding as investors rush to invest in what appears to be the next big thing. This capital diversion forces many non-AI founders to pivot their business models or adopt AI features that may not be necessary, commonly referred to as “AI washing.” This trend stifles innovation in other sectors, marginalizing the potential of valuable non-AI companies.
Exodus from Research Labs
The competition for talent in the AI sector has reached unprecedented levels, resulting in a significant brain drain from university research labs and traditional tech sectors. Private AI companies, lured by the promise of tech breakthroughs, are hiring top academic researchers and engineers with lucrative salaries. This trend threatens not only the depth of research in non-AI fields but also impacts the educational pipeline that has long fed the tech industry with essential talent.
Discouraging Young Graduates
The focus on AI within tech companies has had an unsettling impact on entry-level job availability. Between 2023 and 2025, postings for entry-level roles saw a staggering 35% decline. This trend disrupts the traditional career ladder, leaving recent graduates disheartened and less likely to pursue careers in non-AI-related fields, exacerbating the talent shortage in these vital sectors.
Cybersecurity Concerns
On the cybersecurity front, AI is being weaponized to facilitate cyberattacks, posing a significant threat to non-AI systems. Even hackers with moderate skills can now launch sophisticated attacks using AI tools that clone voices or generate deepfakes. This escalation in digital assaults complicates traditional security protocols, as common IT defenses struggle to keep pace with these advanced tactics.
The New Digital Divide
In a time when technology is meant to unify, AI has inadvertently created a new digital divide. Developers and technical professionals who embrace AI strategies distance themselves from those who lack these skills or interest. As more people gravitate toward AI-driven tools and platforms, those less inclined towards tech may struggle to keep up, further exacerbating inequalities in tech literacy and accessibility.
Public Sentiment in Decline
As AI continues to permeate the tech landscape, public sentiment toward the tech industry has soured. Issues like “996” work culture, job displacement, environmental concerns from new data centers, and unauthorized data usage have fueled discontent. The proliferation of deepfakes, misinformation, and exploitative practices has prompted calls for reform in how technology companies operate, complicating the public’s relationship with tech developers.
App Ecosystem Under Siege
The traditional app market is witnessing a seismic shift as consumers increasingly turn to “vibe coding.” Rather than relying on paid app subscriptions, users are creating customizable, disposable applications using AI platforms. Analysts predict this trend will lead to a 25% decline in mobile app usage by 2027. Consequently, the app development ecosystem faces a challenging landscape as users move away from established market offerings.
Threatening the Future of Information
Lastly, AI chatbots are changing how we access information, moving away from search engines that provide lists of links to direct answers. While this may improve convenience, it jeopardizes the revenue streams for publishers reliant on web traffic, undermining the very foundation of fact-based information dissemination. As false information can easily be replicated as “truth,” this trend poses a substantial risk to technology’s core mission of promoting knowledge and education.
In summary, the rise of AI is undeniably having a damaging impact on various facets of technology, reshaping how we produce, consume, and perceive tech innovations while complicating the landscape for future developments.
