Rapid adoption of AI platforms in new forecast
The global ICT market will grow 10% in 2026 driven by rapid adoption of AI platforms, which will grow over 70% by the end of the year. Spending on ICT is forecast to reach $4 trillion in 2026 and surpass $6 trillion by 2029, according to the International Data Corporation’s (IDC). “Worldwide spending on edge computing reached $265 billion in 2025, expected to nearly double by 2029, reflecting a pivotal expansion fuelled by rapid Edge AI advancements that accelerate enterprise transformation and open new opportunities for service providers.”
“Software emerges as the largest technology group in 2026, absorbing more than 33% of global ICT spending. This surge is primarily fueled by robust investments in enterprise resource management (ERM) applications, security software, and production and operations applications, which together will account for over one-third of total global software expenditure.”
The forecast says these categories reflect enterprises’ ongoing priorities around operational efficiency and cybersecurity resilience.
“Hardware is set to be the fastest growing technology group, with a projected year-over-year growth rate of 15% in 2026.”
The forecast in short:
- Total ICT spending: $4 trillion (+10% YoY)
- Software: Largest tech group, >33% of spend
- Hardware: Fastest growth, +15% YoY
- Top industries: Software and Information Services, Banking, Retail (>$1 trillion combined)
- Fastest-growing sectors: Software and Information Services, Media and Entertainment, Retail
- Leading regions: USA ($2 trillion), Western Europe ($908 billion), China ($355 billion)
- Five-year CAGR >10%: USA, China, Latin America
“We are entering a new phase of the AI-everywhere journey: the era of expectations and reckoning,” says Andrea Siviero, senior director at IDC.
“The excitement of experimentation is giving way to a sharper focus on accountability, value creation, and productivity impact. In 2026, enterprises will demand that AI and digital investments demonstrably improve processes, accelerate decision making, and ultimately drive business growth across the organization.”
The forecast says software and information services, banking, and retail will be the three largest spending industries and together will represent over $1 billion in ICT spending in 2026.
The next five largest industries—federal/central government, telecommunications, media and entertainment, healthcare provider, and high tech and electronics—will together account for more than 20% of worldwide spending.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
