Gartner Predicts $6.31 Trillion in Global IT Spending by 2026, Driven by AI and Data Center Boom
Event summary
- Gartner forecasts worldwide IT spending to reach $6.31 trillion in 2026, a 13.5% increase from 2025.
- Data center systems spending is projected to grow by 55.8%, the highest among all categories.
- AI infrastructure and advanced memory are key drivers behind the accelerated growth.
- IT services spending will surpass $1.87 trillion in 2026, marking significant expansion.
The big picture
The forecast highlights a multi-speed IT market where AI-driven segments are significantly outperforming traditional categories. Hyperscale cloud demand is fueling sharp increases in server and data center investments, while GenAI continues to drive substantial gains in software spending. The widening divergence across IT markets underscores the strategic importance of AI infrastructure in the coming years.
What we're watching
- AI Infrastructure Growth
- The pace at which AI workloads scale will determine the sustained demand for high-performance compute and data center investments.
- Memory Market Dynamics
- Whether semiconductor manufacturers can capitalize on the surge in high-bandwidth memory prices to drive profitability.
- IT Services Expansion
- How hyperscaler purchases and AI-centric software segments will continue to outperform traditional IT categories.
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