Gartner Forecasts Global AI Spending to Reach $2.5 Trillion in 2026

Gartner, Inc., a leading research and advisory company, revealed that global spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to reach US$2.52 trillion in 2026, representing a 44% increase compared to the previous year.




John-David Lovelock, Distinguished Vice President Analyst at Gartner, stated that successful AI adoption is not solely about financial investment, but also about the readiness of people and internal processes within organizations. As companies gain more experience and a deeper understanding of AI technologies, their focus will shift from trend-driven investments to delivering measurable and proven business outcomes rather than relying on anticipated potential.

“In 2026, AI will enter the ‘Trough of Disillusionment,’ a phase in which initial enthusiasm begins to decline. As a result, most organizations will prefer purchasing AI solutions from existing software vendors they already work with, rather than investing in complex and high-risk new initiatives. Clear and measurable return on investment (ROI) will be the key deciding factor before organizations expand AI deployment at scale,” Lovelock added.

Investment in AI infrastructure alone is expected to significantly drive spending growth. Expenditure on AI-optimized servers is projected to increase by 49% in 2026, accounting for 17% of total AI spending. Furthermore, AI infrastructure development is anticipated to generate an additional US$401 billion in spending, as technology providers continue to accelerate the expansion of foundational AI capabilities.


Source: Gartner