AI Infrastructure Spending Surges Despite Low ROI
Event summary
- Only 32% of AI projects deliver positive ROI, but 60% of companies plan to increase AI infrastructure budgets.
- 66% of AI budgets are allocated to data, storage, and compute, while only 33% goes to software/SaaS solutions.
- 49% of respondents exceeded their cloud storage budget in 2025 due to fees and usage growth.
- 44% of organizations experienced a cyberattack resulting in loss of access to public cloud data.
The big picture
The 2026 Wasabi Global Cloud Storage Index reveals a strategic anomaly: companies are doubling down on AI infrastructure despite low immediate returns. This trend underscores the generational shift toward AI-enabled solutions, where data storage and compute power are prioritized over software. The findings also highlight persistent challenges in cloud storage pricing and security, which could shape future investments in the sector.
What we're watching
- Infrastructure Focus
- How the shift toward infrastructure spending will impact AI software providers and cloud storage demand.
- ROI Timelines
- Whether the expected 19-point increase in positive ROI within 12 months materializes as companies scale AI initiatives.
- Security Gaps
- The pace at which cloud storage providers address data security vulnerabilities amid rising cyberattacks.
Our editorial coverage:
Related topics