Core Insights - The article highlights the impact of AI-generated data on global data center storage, leading to a shortage of Nearline HDDs and a shift towards high-performance, high-cost SSDs, particularly QLC SSDs, which are expected to see explosive growth in shipments by 2026 [2][5]. Data Center Storage Trends - Nearline HDDs have traditionally been the main solution for cold data storage due to their low cost per GB, but the demand for cold data storage is rapidly increasing with the expansion of Inference AI applications [2]. - SSDs are primarily responsible for hot and warm data storage due to their high read and write performance, with QLC SSDs offering better efficiency and approximately 30% lower power consumption compared to Nearline HDDs [2]. Supply Chain and Market Dynamics - Major HDD manufacturers have not planned to expand production lines, resulting in delivery times for Nearline HDDs extending from weeks to over 52 weeks, exacerbating the storage gap for cloud service providers (CSPs) [5]. - CSPs in North America are considering the use of SSDs for cold data storage due to the severe HDD shortage, but face challenges related to cost and supply chain management [5][6]. Pricing and Profitability - The demand shift towards SSDs presents an opportunity for suppliers to improve profit margins, but limited capacity for high-capacity products means suppliers are unlikely to significantly lower prices [6]. - A price negotiation is anticipated between buyers and sellers, leading to an expected 5-10% increase in overall Enterprise SSD contract prices in Q4 2025 [6].