APAC IT spending 2026: AI infrastructure drives growth

APAC IT spending in 2026 is expected to remain resilient, reaching US$1.78 trillion, as investment in AI infrastructure and data centres accelerates across the region. According to Gartner, this represents an 11.8% increase from 2025, highlighting sustained momentum despite broader economic pressures. 

The most significant driver of this growth is data centre systems, with spending projected to surge by 63.1% to US$232 billion. This reflects the rapid scaling of AI workloads, which require high-performance computing and advanced memory capabilities. As noted by John-David Lovelock, increasing demand for AI-optimised processors and accelerators is creating new opportunities across the technology ecosystem. 

Beyond data centres, communications services will account for the largest share of overall spending, exceeding US$496.5 billion, followed by IT services at US$441.2 billion. These categories continue to expand as enterprises invest in connectivity, cloud platforms, and managed infrastructure to support digital transformation. 

Overall, the regional market is becoming increasingly uneven. AI-driven segments are experiencing rapid expansion, while more traditional areas face cost pressures. This divergence highlights a broader transformation: IT investment is no longer uniform but increasingly concentrated in technologies that enable AI at scale. 

Source: 

https://www.itnews.asia/news/apac-it-spending-stays-resilient-in-2026-buoyed-by-data-centres-625511