Why Gartner (IT) Predicts Surging IT Spending and AI Regulation Will Drive Enterprise Tech Shifts

• In late October 2025, Gartner released top ten strategic AI predictions for 2026 and beyond at its IT Symposium/XPO, along with an updated forecast anticipating worldwide IT spending to reach US$6.08 trillion in 2026, up 9.8% from 2025.
• Gartner’s analysis highlights the accelerating adoption of generative AI, expanded regulatory scrutiny across markets, and growing demand for AI proficiency in hiring, underlining shifting priorities in enterprise technology investment.
• We’ll explore how Gartner’s forecasts for accelerated global IT spending and AI market shifts could influence its investment outlook.

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Gartner Investment Narrative Recap

To believe in Gartner as an investment, you must have confidence in persistent enterprise demand for actionable technology insights, particularly as digital transformation and AI adoption accelerate worldwide. The recent announcement projecting worldwide IT spending to reach US$6.08 trillion in 2026 reinforces this catalyst, though it does not materially change near-term risks such as potential client migration to lower-cost AI tools or continued headwinds from corporate budget constraints.

One announcement closely tied to this outlook is the rollout of AskGartner, Gartner’s proprietary AI-powered research tool. The emphasis on generative AI in Gartner’s latest predictions highlights why further digital product innovation, like AskGartner, may be a key lever for retention and growth in a market rapidly embracing AI-driven solutions.

However, in contrast to headline forecasts for IT spending, investors should also be aware of the growing risk that generative AI and accessible open-source tools could...

Read the full narrative on Gartner (it's free!)

Gartner's narrative projects $7.4 billion in revenue and $821.8 million in earnings by 2028. This requires 4.7% yearly revenue growth and a $478 million decrease in earnings from the current $1.3 billion.

Uncover how Gartner's forecasts yield a $295.55 fair value, a 16% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

Simply Wall St Community members set Gartner’s fair value estimates between US$240.78 and US$295.55 across two analyses. While some see driver potential from rising enterprise digital transformation, opinions widely differ on how emerging generative AI impacts Gartner’s future prospects, consider exploring these viewpoints.

Explore 2 other fair value estimates on Gartner - why the stock might be worth 6% less than the current price!

Build Your Own Gartner Narrative

Disagree with existing narratives? Create your own in under 3 minutes - extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd.

• A great starting point for your Gartner research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.
• Our free Gartner research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Gartner's overall financial health at a glance.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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