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While companies remain cautious about overall IT spending due to global uncertainty, U.S. market research firm Gartner forecasts a significant investment surge in data centers driven by AI in 2025.
TL;DR
- Global IT spending will rise by 7.9% in 2025 to a record $5.43 trillion, fueled by GenAI.
- GenAI is accelerating data center spending with 42.5% growth.
- Software spending grows more slowly in 2025 at 10.5%, down from 11.9% in 2024.
- CIOs are hesitant to launch new projects – Gartner calls this an “Uncertainty Pause.”
- AI-optimized servers are expected to see triple the demand of traditional models by 2027.
Global IT spending will climb 7.9% in 2025 to a new record high of $5.43 trillion, according to IT-Business, citing Gartner. However, this figure is misleading: most companies are exercising restraint in investments due to tense geopolitical and economic conditions. CIOs are delaying new initiatives, putting them on the back burner. Gartner describes this trend as an “Uncertainty Pause,” which is also reflected in the slower growth of spending on ICT services and hardware.
The real growth driver is generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), evident in the continued strong increase in spending on data center infrastructure and software. Software spending, however, is growing less dynamically – up 10.5% compared to 11.9% the previous year. Investments in data centers are projected to grow by 42.5% (up from 40.2% in 2024), primarily driven by AI. Still, data center systems account for just over 8.7% of total IT spending.
High GenAI Investment, Waning Enthusiasm
Investment pressure is mounting, according to a Gartner survey of 252 executives in North America and Western Europe. While 61% entered 2025 from a stronger financial position, only 24% expect to exceed their original plans this year. Companies are notably more generous when it comes to generative AI: AI-optimized servers, which played almost no role in 2021, are projected to enjoy three times the demand of traditional server models by 2027.
At the same time, early signs suggest the initial GenAI enthusiasm may be hitting what IT-Business calls a “trough of inflated expectations.” CIOs are demanding simple use cases and functional tools, but vendors are largely delivering promises rather than practical solutions. This is reflected in reduced spending on new software and increased investment in functional modules from established providers. Companies are channeling IT budgets into infrastructure rather than innovation.
Declining Figures in Other ICT Segments
Spending on IT and communications services continues to decline or stagnate, while expenditures on end-user devices – especially AI hardware – are rising. Cloud services, including managed services, show greater resilience against the investment pause, whereas traditional IT hardware faces pressure from price increases and supply shortages, as much of the resource demand is being redirected toward AI systems.
Companies are prioritizing areas where they anticipate gaining technological superiority. Sixty-two percent of executives surveyed by Gartner view AI as the decisive competitive advantage for the next decade. Consequently, expanding related infrastructure is expected to take precedence – even though many organizations are still in the experimental phase and actively learning the technology, just as the market itself is still finding its footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main driver of IT spending growth in 2025?
The primary driver is investment in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly in data center infrastructure.
How are spending trends evolving for ICT services and hardware?
Spending on ICT services is stagnating or declining, while demand for AI hardware is increasing significantly.
Why are CIOs hesitant to start new IT projects?
CIOs are holding back due to geopolitical and economic uncertainties – Gartner refers to this as an “Uncertainty Pause.”
How important is AI as a competitive advantage for businesses?
62% of surveyed executives consider AI the key competitive differentiator for the next ten years.
How will demand for AI-optimized servers change by 2027?
AI-optimized servers are expected to see three times the demand of traditional server models by 2027.
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