Chief financial officers worldwide are planning substantial increases in technology spending for 2026, with three-quarters expecting higher IT budgets and nearly half anticipating rises of 10% or more, according to new research from Gartner, Inc.
The survey of 303 CFOs and senior finance leaders, conducted between September and October 2025, underscores technology’s central role as a “strategic enabler.” Key drivers include continued digital transformation, rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, and growing cybersecurity demands, Gartner said in its February 10 press release.
Global IT spending is projected to hit $6.15 trillion in 2026, representing a 10.8% increase from the prior year. The banking, technology, and healthcare sectors are leading the acceleration in tech investment and more.
“AI is increasingly viewed as a broader enterprise capability,” said Nauman Abbasi, Vice President Analyst in Gartner’s Finance practice. “CFOs are focusing on automating the close and reconciliations while enhancing planning through predictive forecasting, scenario modeling, and real-time insights.”
Current AI allocations in finance tech budgets remain modest: 47% of CFOs dedicate 1% to 5%, and 25% allocate 6% to 10%. However, the forward-looking picture is decisively positive—nearly 60% plan to increase AI spending in finance by 10% or more next year, with meaningful cuts described as “virtually nonexistent.”
Gartner advised finance leaders to “optimize before scaling,” emphasizing investments tied to strong business cases and measurable outcomes as AI literacy improves and legacy systems are modernized.
Supporting data from a January KPMG report shows U.S. companies outpacing the global average in emerging tech spending, particularly AI, with annual investments averaging $190 million compared to $174 million worldwide. Yet full operational maturity remains limited, with only 10% of firms describing implementations as “fully scaled and continually evolving,” down from 25% the previous year.
As 2026 approaches, the combination of rising IT budgets and strategic focus on AI positions technology as a top priority for CFOs seeking efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage through automation and advanced capabilities.
