Data Centers Doubling Is Next Driver of Chip Demand, Hynix Says
- SK Hynix CEO forecasts exponential growth in data use
- 5G, autonomous cars and artificial intelligence among drivers
The next big surge in demand for semiconductors will be driven by a doubling in the data centers that underpin virtually all online services over the next four years, according to the world’s second-largest memory chipmaker.
In a keynote address at an industry forum Sunday, SK Hynix Inc. Chief Executive Officer Lee Seok-hee said he expects exponential growth in data and bandwidth consumption spurred by new technologies like 5G networking, artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. So-called hyperscale data centers are set to double in number by 2025 to 1,060, according to his presentation, providing the infrastructure and distribution systems for everything from social media and online gaming to smart agriculture and connected factories.