Gartner projects 2026 global IT spending to reach $6.37 trillion

Gartner predicts worldwide information‑technology spending will climb to $6.37 trillion in 2026, a 14.2 % increase over 2025. The strongest growth is expected in data‑centre systems, which are forecast to rise 62.5 % to $822 billion, and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), projected to grow 29.3 % to $287 billion. Gartner attributes the surge to expanding AI infrastructure, with hyperscalers and enterprises adding next‑generation compute capacity to meet higher AI workloads.

John‑David Lovelock, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, described the build‑out of AI‑required compute as “the biggest infrastructure project humanity has ever undertaken.” The firm also forecasts AI‑optimized server shipments reaching roughly three million units in 2026, up from about 2.35 million in the prior year. Other segments, such as software and traditional IT services, are expected to grow more modestly.