📊Executive Summary

A helium shortage is emerging as a significant risk for the AI chip supply chain, particularly affecting semiconductor manufacturing. Helium is crucial for various processes in chip production, and the recent disruption in Qatari supply has raised concerns about potential long-term constraints. Major South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung and SK Hynix, are closely monitoring their helium inventories, which are expected to last only until June 2026. The ongoing AI chip demand exacerbates the situation, with warnings from industry leaders about potential memory shortages extending to 2027. TSMC has managed to mitigate immediate impacts through diversified contracts but is still under pressure from rising demand. The article highlights the interconnectedness of supply chain dependencies, emphasizing that helium supply issues could lead to increased costs and delays in AI chip production....