Science & Tech · AI · 4 hrs ago
Sam Altman says local AI uses scarce memory inefficiently
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized running AI models on personal computers, saying it leaves some memory underused.
He made the comments in an interview on the Cheeky Pint podcast while discussing a shortage of computer memory, known as DRAM.
Altman argued that cloud data centers can use memory more fully than computers used by individuals.
Running AI locally can offer more privacy and let people use models without relying on paid cloud services, but it also uses memory in personal devices.
Altman said the supply situation is difficult and that the memory shortage may continue through 2030.
He also said chipmakers are cautious about building more factories because they could end up with excess supply if demand falls.
The debate matters because local AI competes with cloud providers for scarce memory, while also offering an alternative to their services.
No specific next step was announced.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said people keeping DRAM in their computers for local AI use is “quite terrible” from a global allocation perspective.
He argued that cloud data centers should make maximum use of memory amid constrained supplies.
Altman made the comments in an interview on the Cheeky Pint podcast.
He also said the memory industry should be cautious about building new manufacturing capacity, to avoid oversupply.
The remarks drew criticism from technology users and commentators, while local AI is promoted as an alternative to cloud services.
- Who
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
- What
- He argued that memory kept in personal computers for local AI is an inefficient use of limited DRAM, and said cloud infrastructure should maximize utilization.
- When
- In a recent Cheeky Pint podcast interview; the articles were published on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- On the Cheeky Pint podcast; the interview was shared via YouTube.
- Why
- Altman said memory supplies are constrained and argued that cloud use would make better use of available DRAM.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Altman discussed constrained memory supplies and local AI use on the Cheeky Pint podcast.
Windows Central, PCMag, Futurism and Tom's Hardware published articles about Altman's comments.
- Podcast
- Cheeky Pint
- Speaker
- Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
- Memory cited
- DRAM
- Idle-use estimate
- Altman said memory in personal computers may be used 5% of the time.
- Supply outlook
- PCMag reported the memory shortage is expected to persist through 2030.
4 sources
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OpenAI CEO says it's 'quite terrible' for your PC to have RAM — Sam Altman says data centers offer better utilization
What people are saying
You want maximum utilization in the cloud if you’re trying to deal with this very supply-constrained environment. And somehow, many people’s intuition is the opposite of that,
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. And be used 5% of the time.
I think the invisible hand is failing right now,
Bad.