Hashtag Trending · 2026-06-26 · 14 min
AI is changing more than software. It's reshaping the economics, engineering and politics of computing. On Hashtag Trending for Friday, June 26, 2026, Jim Love examines why Micron believes memory prices could remain historically high for years - not because of manufacturing costs, supply chain problems or raw materials, but because AI demand is so strong that memory makers can focus on their highest-margin products. That profitability could eventually encourage new Chinese competitors, much as export restrictions helped create a new generation of Chinese AI chip companies. IBM follows yesterday's quantum announcement with another bid for technology leadership, unveiling the world's first sub-1 nanometre NanoStack transistor architecture. The breakthrough promises major gains in performance and energy efficiency, although commercial chips remain about five years away. Google is also pushing AI into a new phase with Gemini Computer Use, allowing AI agents to operate software on your behalf. But once AI can log into systems, click buttons and make decisions, the bigger questions become identity, authentication, permissions and governance.
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