Gartner raised its forecast for worldwide IT spending in 2026 to $6.37 trillion, an increase of 14.2% from 2025, in an update published on July 27, 2026. The research firm said spending on AI infrastructure is the main driver, with data center systems the fastest-growing segment. The new figure is up from $6.31 trillion in Gartner's April forecast and $6.15 trillion in February.
What Gartner forecast
CFO Dive reported that the update added $60 billion to Gartner's April estimate. Dataconomy's summary of the forecast lists these figures for 2026:
| Segment | 2026 spending | Growth vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Data center systems | $822 billion | 62.5% |
| Software | $1.47 trillion | 15.5% |
| Infrastructure as a service | $287 billion | 29.3% |
| Total IT spending | $6.37 trillion | 14.2% |
John-David Lovelock, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, said that "AI infrastructure growth remains rapid despite concerns about an AI bubble, with spending rising across AI-related hardware and software," according to CFO Dive. He added that hyperscalers and enterprises are rapidly scaling next-generation data center capacity. Dataconomy also points to a separate Gartner report from May that forecast $2.59 trillion in AI spending for 2026.
Why it matters for companies hiring IT firms
Much of the growth sits in data centers and cloud infrastructure built by large providers, not in the projects most businesses buy from agencies and development firms. Even so, software spending growing at 15.5% means more organizations are paying for AI-enabled tools, and those tools need integration, data preparation, security review and staff training before they deliver value.
When you budget for 2027, expect AI features to appear in more vendor proposals and renewal quotes. For each one, ask for a clear scope, the running costs after launch, how data is handled and how success will be measured. A forecast for the whole market does not tell you whether a specific AI project is worth doing for your business.
Questions worth asking any vendor that pitches an AI project in 2027 budgets:
- Which business process will change, and how will we measure the result?
- What will the tool or model cost to run each month once usage grows?
- Which of our systems and data does it need to connect to, and who maintains those connections?
- What happens to our data, and can we switch providers later without rebuilding everything?
Why it matters for IT firms
For IT services companies, the forecast confirms where budgets are moving. Software and infrastructure are growing faster than the overall market, so providers that connect clients' existing systems to AI platforms and cloud infrastructure are working closer to that growth. Firms that sell mainly traditional maintenance or staff augmentation may need to show how they help clients get value from the platforms they already pay for.
Dataconomy notes that IT services remains one of the largest categories of spending, even though the fastest growth is in AI hardware. Smaller firms do not need to build data centers to benefit. Integration, migration, data cleanup, automation and support for AI tools are all services that sit around the spending Gartner describes.
What to do next
- Buyers: review software renewals and AI subscriptions before 2027 budgets close, and list the integration work each one needs.
- Providers: map your services to growing areas such as cloud infrastructure and AI integration, and update case studies to match.
- Both: treat forecasts as direction rather than guarantees, and revisit plans when Gartner publishes its next update.
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Frequently asked questions
How much will the world spend on IT in 2026?
Gartner's July 2026 forecast puts worldwide IT spending at $6.37 trillion in 2026, up 14.2% from 2025.
Which IT segment is growing fastest in 2026?
Data center systems, forecast at $822 billion in 2026, up 62.5%, driven by AI infrastructure.
Did Gartner raise its 2026 forecast?
Yes. The July figure of $6.37 trillion is higher than the $6.31 trillion forecast in April and $6.15 trillion in February.
What does the forecast mean for buyers of IT services?
Spending is shifting toward AI infrastructure and software. Buyers should plan for the integration, data and training work that new AI tools require.
Sources
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