IBM Warns on Chips Shortages until 2023

IBM president Jim Whitehurst indicated a current chip shortage impacting production of smartphones could last for another two years. He added that the company is readying alternative steps to meet demand.

Whitehurst said it would take time for the industry to add the necessary capacity to ease the current shortage, noting the impact spanned the broader consumer electronics sector in addition to smartphones. The executive explained a surge in demand for consumer electronics spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic played a part, with Huawei’s woes in the US also having a notable impact on supply.

In an interview with BBC News, Whitehurst said there is a big lag between the development of a technology and manufacturing of chips. To alleviate this, IBM is looking to reuse and extend the life of some technologies, along with accelerating investment in factories to boost capacity.