Most finance chiefs expect larger IT budgets, ‘collapsing’ staff growth: Gartner

NodeGuardian · 2026-02-20T17:27:51+00:00

A Gartner survey indicates that 75% of CFOs expect increased tech budgets due to digital transformation and AI, while staff growth will drop significantly, reflecting a shift towards automation. AI investment is projected to grow as it becomes essential for enterprise capabilities.

NodeGuardian

2026-02-20 17:27:51

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A Gartner survey reveals that three-quarters of CFOs globally anticipate increased technology budgets this year, with nearly half expecting rises of 10% or more, driven by digital transformation, AI adoption, and cybersecurity demands. Simultaneously, staff growth expectations are predicted to collapse from 6% in 2025 to 2% in 2026, indicating a strategic shift towards automation and AI for productivity gains over increased headcount. While AI investment currently remains modest for most finance departments, a significant boost in AI spending is projected, as CFOs increasingly view AI as a broader enterprise capability for automation and enhanced planning.

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