The problem in this case seems to have sprung from a lack of collusion. Altman reportedly approached Samsung and SK independently to strike deals for a large chunk of both companies' production. Neither party apparently knew he was negotiating with the other.

If they had actually been communicating or colluding with each other, they would have put the screws to him, making it harder for OpenAI to assert control over the vast majority of the DRAM market.

Failing that, you'd like to think a regulatory agency somewhere would step in to keep a single player from hosing everybody else, but...

There are a lot of cyclical businesses that make money every year. It requires careful management. Factories can produce less than full capacity - but you better design for that. you can make money in the worst years without laying anyone off even - but it requires careful attention to details and not over hiring in good times as if they will never end.

I don’t know if they realize that collusion lends itself to feast/famine.