Gartner forecasts global AI spending to hit $2.7T in 2026

Worldwide spending on artificial intelligence is forecast to total $2.7 trillion in 2026, a 49.5% increase from the prior year, according to a new forecast released Wednesday by Gartner ↘ 2.07%. The figure marks the third upward revision this year from the research firm, which projected $2.52 trillion in January and $2.59 trillion in May.gartner+1

The latest estimate underscores a rapid acceleration of AI investment across infrastructure, software, and services — what Gartner analyst John-David Lovelock called "the largest infrastructure project humanity has ever undertaken."itvoice

Infrastructure Drives the Surge

AI infrastructure remains the single largest spending category, projected at nearly $1.48 trillion in 2026, up from $982 billion in 2025. That segment alone — encompassing AI-optimized servers, semiconductors, network fabric, and cloud infrastructure — accounts for more than 55% of total AI spending. Demand from hyperscale cloud providers continues to drive the buildout of data center capacity optimized for AI workloads.cfodive+1

"Demand for AI infrastructure to support anticipated future workloads remains strong and inelastic to pressures from memory-related pricing increases," Lovelock said in the release.itvoice

AI services represent the second-largest category at $576 billion in 2026, while AI software — boosted by rapid embedding of agentic AI into existing enterprise products — is forecast to reach $462 billion, a roughly 60% year-over-year increase.saastr+1

Agentic AI and Enterprise Adoption

Gartner noted that generative AI has entered the "Trough of Disillusionment" in 2026, but enterprises are still increasing adoption through simpler embedded AI features from incumbent software providers. Spending on generative AI models is projected to more than double to $28.3 billion, while spending on AI agents and assistants is expected to reach $29.2 billion.itvoice

Only 22% of organizations have successfully scaled AI, according to a separate Gartner survey from August, even as 85% of functional leaders plan to increase AI spending this year.gartner

Broader Market Context

The revised forecast reflects a broader pattern of escalating AI commitments across industries. A separate analysis from Analytics Insight projects the banking, financial services, and insurance sector alone will account for $129.24 billion in AI market value in 2026, while healthcare and life sciences — growing at a 48.3% compound annual rate — is expected to become the largest AI end-use segment by 2035.analyticsinsight

Gartner projects total AI spending will reach $3.6 trillion by 2027, suggesting the current pace of investment shows few signs of slowing despite growing concerns about vendor lock-in, data sovereignty, and cost management.itvoice