Gartner: AI Software Spending to Hit $453B in 2026 (+60% YoY), AI Model Spending Alone Growing 110%
Gartner·medium signal
Gartner's updated May 19 forecast projects worldwide AI spending at $2.59 trillion in 2026 (up 47% YoY), with AI software at $453B (+60%) and AI services at $585B as the two categories where enterprise spending is concentrated. Spending on AI models alone is growing 110%. However, enterprises continue focusing primarily on tactical AI deployments for operational efficiency rather than large-scale transformative projects — the gap between spend and ambition suggests a massive wave of agentic deployment still ahead.