The headline numbers
Gartner's February 2026 forecast puts worldwide IT spending at $6.15 trillion, up 10.8% on 2025. Software spending is expected to reach $1.43 trillion, up 14.7%, and spending on generative AI models to grow 80.8%. Data-centre spending is forecast to rise 31.7%.
Most of that growth is coming from large enterprises and hyperscalers building AI capacity.
Why SMBs should not copy enterprise budgets
Large firms can afford to experiment. Smaller ones get more from fixing the basics: one system of record for customers and orders, automated invoicing and payments, and reporting that does not depend on spreadsheets.
AI pays back fastest when it sits on top of clean, connected data. Without that foundation, it mostly automates confusion.
A 2026–2030 spending order
First, consolidate data into a CRM or ERP that fits your process. Second, automate the repetitive work around it. Third, add AI to specific steps where you can measure time saved.
Review the plan yearly. The tools will change quickly through 2030; the order of operations will not.
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