Global IT spending is forecast to rise 10.8% this year to $6.15 trillion, according to research firm Gartner.
Gartner released its "Gartner Market Databook" on the 10th, projecting worldwide IT expenditure will reach $6.15 trillion (approximately 8,961 trillion won) in 2026.
Data center system spending is expected to surge 31.7% from last year to exceed $650 billion. Server expenditure is driving this growth, rising 36.9% year-over-year.
The growth forecast for software spending, including applications and infrastructure software, was revised slightly downward from 15.2% to 14.7%. Nevertheless, Gartner expects software spending to surpass $1.4 trillion this year.
"Despite concerns about an AI bubble, spending across AI-related hardware and software continues to expand, and AI infrastructure growth maintains a rapid pace," said John-David Lovelock, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. "Demand from hyperscale cloud service providers continues to drive expanded investment in servers optimized for AI workloads."
Device spending is projected to reach $836 billion this year as shipments of smartphones, PCs, and tablets maintain stable growth. However, the growth rate is expected to slow to 6.1% due to market demand constraints.
"This slowdown is largely due to rising memory prices pushing up average selling prices, which has dampened consumer demand for device replacements," Lovelock said. "Supply shortages are occurring in the less profitable low-end market, limiting device shipment growth."