AI‑Driven Infrastructure Surge Pushes Global IT Spending Toward $6.31 Trillion in 2026

Global IT spending is projected to hit $6.31 trillion in 2026, according to Gartner’s latest quarterly forecast, a 13.5% jump from the previous year as organizations accelerate investment in AI and the infrastructure required to support it. Growth spans every major IT segment, though the surge is far from uniform, with data center systems leading the charge.

Gartner attributes much of the increase to escalating demand for compute capacity, high‑performance processors, and advanced memory technologies powering AI workloads. “This latest forecast underscores the accelerating momentum in AI infrastructure and advanced memory,” said John‑David Lovelock, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. He noted that as AI workloads scale, data center investment is rising sharply, creating new opportunities for companies delivering AI‑optimized processors, accelerators, and related technologies.

Data center systems are expected to grow 55.8% in 2026, reaching nearly $788 billion, the fastest expansion of any category. IT services will remain the largest segment overall, projected at $1.87 trillion, as organizations continue relying on external partners for implementation and managed services. Software spending is also set to climb, reaching $1.44 trillion, driven by demand for automation, analytics, and AI‑enabled platforms.

By contrast, spending on devices and communication services is forecast to grow more slowly, reflecting weaker ties to AI‑driven investment cycles. Lovelock said the widening gap across IT markets highlights how AI infrastructure and GenAI software are reshaping spending priorities, while device categories face ongoing pricing and cost pressures.

Gartner’s outlook makes clear that AI‑related capabilities will heavily influence IT investment decisions in the near term, with infrastructure at the center of that shift.