Global IT spending to grow 13.5% in 2026, reaching $6.31 trillion, driven by AI demand: Gartner

Global IT spending is expected to reach $6.31 trillion in 2026, reflecting a 13.5% year-on-year increase, according to Gartner. The revised outlook highlights continued acceleration in AI-led investments across infrastructure, software, and enterprise services.

The strongest momentum is expected in data center systems, which are projected to grow sharply as demand for AI workloads drives large-scale investments in compute capacity and high-performance infrastructure. Software spending is also set to expand, supported by increasing adoption of generative AI capabilities across enterprise applications.

IT services remains the largest spending category, crossing $1.87 trillion in 2026, as organizations continue to rely on external partners for implementation, managed services, and cloud infrastructure support. Device spending is expected to grow at a slower pace, influenced by rising component costs and extended refresh cycles.

Gartner noted that the current cycle reflects a widening gap between AI-driven segments and traditional IT categories. Hyperscale cloud providers and enterprises scaling AI initiatives are driving disproportionate investment compared to legacy infrastructure spending patterns.

The forecast reinforces a broader shift in enterprise technology priorities, where AI infrastructure is becoming a central driver of IT budgets rather than an adjacent investment area.