Enterprise Tech Spending Reaches Trillions, Fueling Demand for Skilled Professionals in AI, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity

Businesses are investing heavily in technology, but the biggest transformation may not be the technology itself. With global IT spending projected to reach $6.31 trillion by the end of 2026, there is a growing need for professionals who can harness this technology by implementing and securing it.

Data Centers and Infrastructure as a Service

According to a forecast by Gartner, "building the compute capacity required for AI is the largest infrastructure project ever attempted by humanity." The rapid expansion of AI is driving unprecedented growth in data center systems and infrastructure as a service (IaaS), positioning these segments as key contributors to global technology spending. This forecast also suggests that worldwide IT spending will reach a 14.2% increase compared with 2025. This growth highlights the rising demand for advanced computing infrastructure, cloud platforms, and intelligent applications as businesses continue to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives.

Projected Growth of AI Services

AI spending is expected to maintain strong year-on-year growth of more than 30% through 2028 as businesses transition from experimental pilot programs to full-scale production and deployment. Investment remains heavily concentrated in the United States, which is projected to account for nearly 49% by 2035. However, markets such as China, India, and other emerging economies are expected to see accelerating investment as AI adoption expands and organizations increasingly integrate the technology into their operations.

AI-related spending is primarily concentrated in IT services, software, cloud infrastructure, and AI-ready hardware, which collectively account for the majority of investment. IT services spending is projected to reach approximately $1.1 trillion by 2035, while internet-connected devices are expected to experience the fastest growth as businesses invest in the computing, networking, and edge infrastructure required to support large-scale AI deployment. Investment is also particularly strong across knowledge-intensive industries, with financial services, professional services, and IT and programming each exceeding $40 billion in AI spending in 2025, highlighting their leading roles in AI adoption and integration.

The Role of Technology Professionals

As AI becomes embedded in everyday business operations, the role of IT professionals is expanding. Cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, data professionals, software developers and AI specialists are increasingly responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports modern organizations.

Security is particularly important. The rapid adoption of AI and cloud technologies is creating new security challenges, while organizations are investing in training to close emerging skills gaps. A 2026 ISC2 study found that nearly three-quarters of large organizations increased their cybersecurity training budgets, with AI identified as the most pressing skill area by 47% of security leaders surveyed.

Technology Needs Strategic Leadership

Technology transformation also creates opportunities for professionals who can bridge the gap between technical teams and organizational leadership. IT and technology managers must evaluate emerging tools, oversee implementation, manage technology budgets, and ensure that AI adoption aligns with business objectives.

McKinsey's 2026 Global Tech Agenda found that AI modernization has surpassed cybersecurity and infrastructure as companies' top technology investment priority. At the same time, half of organizations surveyed said they planned to increase their technology budgets by more than 4% in 2026, with total global AI spending projected to reach $3.49 trillion in 2027.

This means tomorrow's technology leaders will need to understand AI strategy, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, data management and business operations—and know how to turn rapidly changing technologies into practical results.

As enterprise technology spending continues to grow, so does the demand for professionals who can lead that investment. The organizations best positioned for the future will be those that pair powerful technologies with skilled professionals capable of putting them to work securely, strategically and effectively.

Artificial Intelligence at Capitol Tech

As AI continues to reshape the enterprise technology landscape, organizations need professionals who understand how to implement AI solutions. Capitol Technology University's Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence provides aspiring AI professionals with the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in AI methodologies and applications. Students build the knowledge and technical skills needed to contribute to the advancement of AI and help shape the future of enterprise technology.

Explore what a degree from Capitol Tech can do for you! To learn more, contact our Admissions team or request more information.