Global AI Spending to Exceed $600 Billion in 2026

The global AI spending is expected to reach $600 billion in 2026, a tenfold increase from 2024, making it heavily dependent on the capital market. This is due to the rising interest rates, which could become the biggest test of the current AI boom’s sustainability. The boom is not expected to disappear overnight, but the increasing costs of financing will force companies and investors to differentiate between projects that can generate real returns and those that rely on expectations.

The global debt has reached record levels, with a significant portion of the new debt being held by governments. While this may be less concerning in the short term, it creates a problem in the long term, as governments will have less room for new incentives and interventions if the financial situation worsens.

The tech companies are entering a phase where their own capital is no longer sufficient to finance ambitious plans, requiring capital on a scale previously reserved for major infrastructure projects. The issuance of debt related to AI is expected to exceed $600 billion in 2026, a significant increase from 2024.