AI spending is projected to soar past $2 trillion in 2026, marking a pivotal shift from experimentation to commercialisation amidst global economic uncertainties, as industries accelerate AI adoption for tangible business outcomes.
Enterprise and global spending on artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to reach unprecedented heights in 2026, driven by expanding AI infrastructure and a broader adoption of AI software and devices across diverse sectors. Industry forecasts unanimously underscore a significant escalation in investment, marking 2026 as a pivotal year for AI monetization and integration.
Gartner projects that global AI spending will surpass $2 trillion in 2026, up from nearly $1.5 trillion in 2025. This surge is attributed to major hyperscalers increasing investments in AI-optimised infrastructure like data centres equipped with advanced hardware and GPUs. Additionally, the integration of AI into everyday technology products, such as smartphones, PCs, and other consumer devices, continues to be a major growth driver. The inclusion of Chinese technology firms and emerging AI cloud providers is also broadening the market’s scale and scope. Gartner’s detailed analysis identifies six key AI markets fueling this growth: generative AI-enabled smartphones, AI services, AI-optimised servers, AI semiconductors, AI application software, and AI infrastructure software.
According to Dan Ives, managing director and senior equity research analyst at Wedbush Securities, 2026 will represent “the year of AI monetization,” where investments in infrastructure lead to widespread enterprise and consumer applications. Wedbush analysts highlight a ramp-up in AI-related business activities, rejecting any notion that the market is experiencing a speculative bubble. Instead, they point out that AI adoption remains nascent, with organisations cautiously exploring where the technology can yield tangible value. This perspective is echoed by Deloitte’s recent report emphasizing a shift from experimental AI pilots to rigorous execution. Deloitte notes that while new foundational AI models and innovative enterprise applications continue to emerge, the real challenge lies in integrating AI into existing workflows, ensuring data quality, governance, compliance, and developing sustainable pricing models.
These insights highlight a crucial inflection point: 2026 will focus less on unveiling dazzling new AI models and more on translating established AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes.
On the corporate front, this acceleration in AI investment aligns with broader technology spending trends. The global technology consulting market is forecast to exceed $400 billion in revenue by 2026, reflecting demand for expert guidance in upgrading systems and bridging skill gaps. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, and energy are among the most active in seeking consulting services to deploy advanced technologies, including AI and data analytics, effectively.
The positive momentum in AI is also reflected in stock market forecasts. Financial institutions like J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank project a strong performance for the S&P 500 index by the end of 2026, driven in part by AI-led corporate earnings growth. J.P. Morgan anticipates the S&P 500 may rise to 7,500, a roughly 11% gain, underpinned by robust earnings growth of 13-15% annually. Deutsche Bank offers an even more bullish outlook, envisioning the index reaching 8,000, a 21% increase, supported by AI’s transformative impact on company profitability.
However, this optimistic outlook is tempered by continuing global economic uncertainties. The OECD’s December 2025 Economic Outlook acknowledges that AI investments are currently bolstering global growth, helping offset negative effects from recent U.S. tariff increases. Nonetheless, it cautions that ongoing trade tensions and potential market corrections in AI-driven sectors present risks. The OECD projects global economic growth will taper slightly from 3.2% in 2025 to 2.9% in 2026, with a moderate rebound expected in 2027.
In summary, 2026 appears poised to be a watershed year for AI, characterised by a broad adoption of AI technologies beyond elite tech companies, a shift towards execution and monetization of AI capabilities, and strong market optimism. Yet, global economic and regulatory dynamics will continue to shape the pace and scale of AI’s integration into business and consumer landscapes.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Fortune) – Paragraphs 1, 3, 5, 7, 8
- [2] (Gartner) – Paragraphs 1, 2
- [3] (CRN) – Paragraph 2
- [4] (ITPro) – Paragraph 6
- [5] (Reuters J.P. Morgan) – Paragraph 7
- [6] (Reuters Deutsche Bank) – Paragraph 7
- [7] (Reuters OECD) – Paragraph 8
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on December 2, 2025, with no evidence of prior publication or recycled content. The report is based on a press release from Wedbush Securities, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Dan Ives, “We believe 2026 will be the year of AI monetization as the infrastructure leads to the use cases for enterprises and consumers,” appears to be original, with no prior instances found online.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Fortune, a reputable organisation, and cites a press release from Wedbush Securities, a well-established financial services firm.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about AI spending projections and market trends are consistent with recent analyses from reputable sources, such as Gartner and Deloitte. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, with no inconsistencies or suspicious elements.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and originates from reputable sources. The claims are plausible and supported by consistent information from other reputable outlets. No significant credibility risks were identified.
