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July 14, 2026

Massive AI buildout poses latest inflation threat as consumers pay more for laptops and electricity

  • The cost of some computer memory chips will have soared by as much as 400% between 2024 and the end of this year.
    • By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER
    AP Economics Writer

    WASHINGTON — American consumers — and the Federal Reserve — are being hit with another high-cost headache.

    The gusher of investment in data centers — likely topping $700 billion this year — to power artificial intelligence has made memory chips, computer processors and other equipment, as well as electricity, more expensive. Economists expect it will continue to push up inflation at least through the end of this year.


     
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