Key takeaways
- Gartner expects global IT spending to reach $6.37 trillion in 2026.
- The forecast implies 14.2% growth from the estimated 2025 total.
- AI and data centre demand are pushing firms to buy more tech.
- Higher spending does not mean every tech company will grow equally.
Global IT spending is the money that companies and governments spend on computers, software, cloud services, and tech workers. Gartner expects it to reach $6.37 trillion in 2026. That would be 14.2% higher than 2025, as firms build more AI tools and data centres.
Why is global IT spending rising so fast?
Gartner’s new forecast points to a big jump in technology budgets. A forecast is an informed estimate of what may happen. The $6.37 trillion figure is larger than the yearly economic output of most countries.
Artificial intelligence is a major reason. AI means software that spots patterns, writes text, or makes choices from data. Firms need powerful chips, servers, storage, and skilled people to run these systems.
Cloud computing is also adding to the bill. It means renting computing power over the internet instead of owning every machine. A bank may use the cloud to run an app, while a shop may use it to track stock.
Worldwide IT spending, US dollars2025$5.58T2026$6.37T2026 forecast: up 14.2%
The chart shows the scale of the change. The 2025 total of about $5.58 trillion is implied by Gartner’s growth rate. It is not a separate number in the latest forecast.
What does global IT spending include?
Global IT spending covers far more than new laptops. It includes software subscriptions, cyber safety tools, phone services, consulting, and data centre equipment. Data centres are buildings packed with computers that store and process online information.
| Measure | 2025 implied level | 2026 forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide IT spending | About $5.58 trillion | $6.37 trillion |
| Yearly growth | Not applicable | 14.2% |
| Extra spending | Not applicable | About $790 billion |
That extra $790 billion is roughly the cost of adding another very large national tech market in one year. Still, the money will not flow evenly. Chip makers, cloud firms, and server sellers may benefit first, while smaller software firms face tougher tests.
Demand for the parts behind AI has already changed the chip business. China’s recent chip-profit surge tied to AI demand shows how quickly this need can spread through supply chains.
What global IT spending means for businesses and workers
For business leaders, the forecast is a sign to check where money is going. Buying an AI tool is only the first step. Companies also need clean data, secure systems, and staff who know how to use the tool well.
Cybersecurity will stay high on the list because more online systems create more targets for criminals. Cybersecurity means protecting devices and data from attacks. A firm that adds AI without basic safety checks could create a costly weak spot.
For workers, more tech budgets can mean demand for people who build, manage, and protect systems. But some routine tasks may change or shrink. Learning basic data skills and checking AI output can help people stay useful.
Should investors treat the forecast as a sure bet?
No. Global IT spending is a broad measure, not a promise about one company or one share price. Gartner’s figure can change if the economy slows, chip supply tightens, or firms decide AI projects cost too much.
Investors should look past the headline number. They can ask whether a company has real sales, enough cash, and customers who renew contracts. Fast growth matters, but profit and trust matter too.
Gartner’s $6.37 trillion forecast says companies are still paying heavily for the computing power, software, and people needed to use AI. The key question is whether those purchases create useful results, not just excitement.
Where did the forecast come from?
Gartner is a research firm that tracks technology markets and business budgets. Its estimates help companies plan, although they remain forecasts rather than final results. Readers can check the firm’s latest announcements at the Gartner Newsroom.
The wider message is clear: global IT spending is moving from everyday office tech toward costly computing systems. That shift could shape chip supply, energy use, cloud prices, and the skills employers seek in 2026.
FAQs
What does global IT spending mean?
It means total spending on technology, including hardware, software, cloud services, telecoms, and IT support workers.
How much could global IT spending reach in 2026?
Gartner forecasts $6.37 trillion, which is 14.2% above the implied 2025 level.
Why are AI data centres so expensive?
They need many advanced chips, huge amounts of electricity, cooling equipment, and fast networks. Those costs add up quickly.
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