According to the Gartner IT forecast 2026, global IT spending is projected to rise to USD 6.08 trillion in 2026, an increase of 9.8% compared with 2025. The new report from Gartner Inc. identifies AI infrastructure, data centers and smart devices as the primary drivers of the strongest growth seen in several years.
Gartner analysts presented the findings at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 in Orlando, discussing how shifting market conditions, generative AI and a recovering hardware market are shaping the global IT economy heading into 2026.
IT market recovers after a pause driven by uncertainty
After a temporary slowdown in the second quarter of 2025, the market is now showing clear signs of recovery.
“The uncertainty pause that began in the second quarter of 2025 has eased, and we are now seeing a meaningful increase in IT budgets toward the end of the year,” said John-David Lovelock, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner.
He further explains that generative AI has reached a stage where its capabilities are being embedded into existing enterprise solutions, which is driving higher costs.
“Although GenAI went through a disappointment phase in 2026, the technology has now been integrated into the software organizations already use, and those features come with additional costs. Software expenses are rising, but so are the value and functionality delivered by GenAI.”
Different segments grow at different speeds
Even with nearly 10% total growth, not all segments will expand at the same rate.
Lovelock points out that software and services are not recovering as quickly as devices and data center systems.
“Vertical-specific software is more exposed to policy decisions and business uncertainty, which has resulted in a slower recovery in certain industries,” he explains.
Table 1. Forecast for worldwide IT spending (USD millions)
| Segment | Spending 2025 | Growth 2025 (%) | Spending 2026 | Growth 2026 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data center systems | 489,451 | 46.8 | 582,446 | 19.0 |
| Devices | 783,157 | 8.4 | 836,275 | 6.8 |
| Software | 1,244,308 | 11.9 | 1,433,037 | 15.2 |
| IT services | 1,719,340 | 6.5 | 1,869,269 | 8.7 |
| Communications services | 1,304,165 | 3.8 | 1,363,058 | 4.5 |
| Total IT | 5,540,421 | 10.0 | 6,084,085 | 9.8 |
Source: Gartner (October 2025)
AI-driven devices and data centers fuel demand
Strong growth in the device market continues into 2026. In the first half of 2025, unexpectedly high sales of smartphones and PCs helped push device spending up by more than 8% to USD 783 billion.
“Growth in 2025 was driven primarily by stronger demand for smartphones,” said Lovelock. “Supply of AI-capable devices added more than USD 30 billion to total spending. That delayed demand means growth in 2026 is expected to be somewhat lower.”
At the same time, the race to build AI infrastructure is boosting demand for data centers and AI-optimized server racks, although growth is still constrained by supply limitations.
Gartner’s methodology and forecast model
The Gartner IT forecast 2026 is based on comprehensive analysis of sales data from more than 1,000 vendors across hardware, software, IT services and telecom. Gartner combines primary research with secondary sources to present an accurate, data-driven view of market trends.
The quarterly Gartner IT Spending Forecast provides a unique outlook on future investments and helps organizations understand both opportunities and risks in the market. The latest edition, Gartner Market Databook 3Q25 Update, is available to clients alongside the free webinar IT Spending Forecast 3Q25 Update: How the Intelligence Supercycle Will Transform IT Buying.
AI use cases and the Gartner Symposium/Xpo
Beyond the forecast, Gartner introduced its AI Use Case Insights tool to help technology and business leaders identify and prioritize AI initiatives.
Users can explore more than 500 AI use cases and 380 case studies across industries, ranked by business value and applicability.
The tool is available at tools.gartner.com/use-case-insights.
Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo remains one of the world’s most influential gatherings for CIOs and IT leaders aiming to drive digital transformation with AI at the center. Follow updates via #GartnerSYM on X and LinkedIn, and in the Gartner Newsroom.
Summary
The Gartner IT forecast 2026 emphasizes that the global IT market is entering a new growth phase, led by AI infrastructure, devices and data centers. Despite challenges in supply chains and vertical-specific software markets, the forecast points to broad and robust global expansion that pushes IT spending above USD 6 trillion for the first time.