Comparing AI Spending to Historys Mega Projects Raises Questions About Value and Impact

India-AI Impact Summit 2026 Set to Discuss Role of Artificial Intelligence in Governance and Global Collaboration

World leaders and tech executives are convening in New Delhi for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in governance, job disruption, and global collaboration. The summit is expected to explore the impact of AI on various sectors.

According to a report by Gartner, worldwide spending on AI is forecast to reach $2.5 trillion in 2026, representing a 44% increase from 2025. This significant investment has drawn substantial private funding over the past decade, totaling trillions of dollars.

To put this figure into perspective, consider that global corporate investments in AI have surged nearly 13-fold since 2013, reaching $1.6 trillion between 2013 and 2024. This expenditure is comparable to some of the largest scientific and infrastructure projects in modern history, including the development of the first atomic bomb and the construction of the US interstate highway network.

The majority of AI spending is concentrated in a few countries, with private capital driving thousands of startups and shaping global innovation hubs. The United States has accounted for roughly 62% of total private AI funding since 2013, followed by China at $119bn and the United Kingdom at $28bn.

Gartner forecasts that AI spending will continue to grow, reaching $2.5 trillion in 2026 and surpassing $3.3 trillion by 2027. The bulk of this spending is expected to go towards building data centres and services.

Source: Al Jazeera