The surge underscores AI’s continued transformation from experimental deployments to large-scale enterprise infrastructure, even as organizations become more selective about where and how they invest.
Worldwide spending on artificial intelligence is projected to reach $2.52 trillion in 2026, representing a 44% year-on-year increase, according to new forecasts from Gartner, Inc. The surge underscores AI’s continued transformation from experimental deployments to large-scale enterprise infrastructure, even as organizations become more selective about where and how they invest.
Gartner notes that AI adoption in 2026 will be driven less by speculative innovation and more by organizational readiness, including skills, processes, and measurable outcomes. As enterprises move through what Gartner describes as the “Trough of Disillusionment,” AI is increasingly being adopted through existing software vendors rather than new, high-risk projects. This shift reflects growing demand for predictable returns on investment before AI can be scaled more broadly across enterprises.
A major driver of spending growth is AI infrastructure, as technology providers race to build foundational capabilities. Spending on AI-optimized servers alone is expected to rise by 49% in 2026, accounting for 17% of total AI expenditure. Overall, AI infrastructure investments are projected to add $401 billion in spending during the year, highlighting the capital-intensive nature of building scalable AI ecosystems.
According to Gartner’s breakdown by market segment, AI infrastructure will remain the largest spending category, growing from approximately $965 billion in 2025 to $1.37 trillion in 2026, and reaching $1.75 trillion by 2027. AI services are forecast to grow to nearly $589 billion in 2026, while AI software spending is expected to reach $452 billion. Other fast-growing segments include AI cybersecurity, AI models, data science and machine learning platforms, and AI application development platforms.
In total, worldwide AI spending is expected to climb from $1.76 trillion in 2025 to $3.34 trillion by 2027, signaling sustained long-term growth despite short-term enterprise caution. Gartner emphasizes that as AI matures, success will increasingly depend on disciplined execution, proven use cases, and the integration of AI into core business systems rather than standalone initiatives.
Gartner will provide deeper insights into global AI, data, and analytics trends at its Data & Analytics Summits 2026, scheduled across major cities including Orlando, São Paulo, London, Tokyo, Sydney, and Mumbai, as organizations worldwide continue to refine their AI strategies in an increasingly infrastructure-driven market.
