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.
