Global AI data center construction is so ravenous for hardware that it's pushing chip prices into the stratosphere. In May 2026, China's semiconductor export value surged 111% year-over-year to a record $36 billion — but the actual number of chips shipped barely budged, rising a mere 2%. That kind of disconnect tells you everything about just how desperate the market has become for high-value AI accelerators. The price of advanced chips has exploded, thanks to the insatiable demand from AI data center builds. Meanwhile, computer and component exports also jumped 66% to roughly $27 billion, the second-highest monthly figure ever.