Key facts
- Global AI spending is projected to reach $2.59 trillion in 2026.
- Implementation and integration are the largest AI cost drivers for enterprises.
- Financial services and healthcare are leading industries in AI investment.
- AI constitutes 18% of the average IT budget, an increase from 11% in 2024.
- Major tech companies plan significant investments in AI infrastructure.
A new field of "tokenomics" is emerging to quantify the return on companies' substantial investments in artificial intelligence. Global AI spending is projected to surge to $2.59 trillion in 2026, marking a 47% year-over-year increase, according to Gartner's May 2026 forecast.
Healthcare is leading this spending surge, accounting for 25.7% of the total AI expenditure. Professional services firms are spending approximately $3,470 per employee on AI, while financial services companies are investing a median of $2.1 million per enterprise. Across all industries, AI now represents 18% of the average IT budget, a significant jump from 11% in 2024.
Contrary to initial assumptions, the primary cost driver for enterprises is not the subscription fees for AI tools, but rather the expenses associated with implementation and integration. Major technology companies, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon, are collectively expected to invest $725 billion in AI infrastructure in 2026.
Median annual AI spending varies by company size, with SMBs spending $18,000, mid-market companies $127,000, and enterprises $1.4 million. Financial services companies allocate the largest portion of their IT budget to AI at 28%, driven by quantifiable ROI and regulatory demands for documented AI governance.