CIOs signal rising tech spend and deeper shift to enterprise AI in 2026

A new study by Recognize, a US-based technology investment platform focused on tech services, reveals that American CIOs are entering 2026 with optimism, rising budgets and a deeper commitment to enterprise AI. The findings, drawn from a periodic survey of more than 200 IT executives, underline how technology leaders are reshaping their IT strategies around custom development, AI-driven applications and a more mature services ecosystem. For Indian IT services firms, the results offer an early look into where enterprise spending, talent needs and partnership opportunities are headed in the coming year.

The data points to a clear shift in mindset: AI is no longer viewed as an experimental capability but as a core growth driver. An overwhelming 85% of surveyed executives expect their IT budgets to rise in 2026, with only a small minority anticipating cuts or stagnation. This confidence holds even amid economic uncertainty, as organizations continue modernizing their ...