Key facts
- Global AI spending is projected to reach $2.59 trillion in 2026, a 47% increase year-over-year.
- Healthcare is the leading sector for AI spending, accounting for 25.7% of the total.
- Implementation and integration are identified as the largest cost drivers for enterprise AI budgets.
- AI constitutes 18% of the average IT budget, a significant rise from 11% in 2024.
- Major tech companies (Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, Amazon) plan a combined $725 billion investment in AI infrastructure for 2026.
Global spending on artificial intelligence is projected to surge to $2.59 trillion in 2026, marking a substantial 47% increase year-over-year, according to Gartner's May 2026 forecast. Healthcare is at the forefront of this investment, accounting for 25.7% of the total AI expenditure.
Professional services firms are spending $3,470 per employee on AI, a 74% rise from the previous year. Financial services companies, in particular, are investing heavily, with a median enterprise expenditure of $2.1 million annually. This sector also dedicates the largest portion of its IT budget to AI, at 28%.
Across all industries, AI now represents an average of 18% of the IT budget, up from 11% in 2024. However, the most significant cost surprise for enterprises is not the subscription fees for AI tools, but rather the expenses associated with implementation and integration.
Major technology players, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon, are collectively planning to invest $725 billion in AI infrastructure in 2026. This highlights a broader trend of increasing AI adoption and investment across various sectors.