At its “IV LiceoTIC Congress” LiceoTIC has presented the results of the “IT 2026 Budget Study”, a report that provides encouraging data for the Spanish technology sector. After a 2025 marked by budget containment and investment prudence, Spanish companies are once again betting on digital transformation. IT investment will grow by 2.8% in 2026, while operating spending will grow by 2.9%, confirming a scenario of digital consolidation and prioritization of efficiency.
The data, although moderate, reflects a change in trend. In 2025, investment barely reached 2.1% and operating expenses stood at 4.7%, an imbalance that is now corrected with a more sustainable vision adjusted to economic reality. In this new stage, companies prioritize projects that boost profitability, productivity and the use of mature technologies such as artificial intelligence, the cloud or cybersecurity.
AI and efficiency, the new investment priorities
The study indicates that 2026 will be a year of technological maturity. Innovation remains a priority, but from a more pragmatic perspective. IT managers seek to optimize processes, automate tasks and reinforce digital security. “The trend is not to spend more, but to invest better,” it was noted during the presentation.
Artificial intelligence stands out as the great axis of interest in IT strategies. Its role is no longer limited to experimental or pilot projects, but is consolidated as a transversal tool to improve decision making, personalize services and reduce operating costs. According to data from the “2026 ICT Tools Study”, AI concentrates 43% of the interest of Spanish CIOs, well above cybersecurity (17%) and hybrid cloud (10%).
IT investment will grow by 2.8% in 2026, while operating spending will grow by 2.9%, confirming a scenario of digital consolidation and prioritization of efficiency
These results explain why technological investment will grow, although at a controlled rate. Companies are focusing their budget on areas that allow them to obtain tangible returns, such as intelligent automation, predictive analytics or secure infrastructures.
The role of the CIO in a new investment cycle
The IV LiceoTIC Congress, held on October 15 at the World Trade Center in Barcelona, brought together more than 500 attendees, including CIOs, innovation managers and experts in digital transformation. During the event, it was highlighted that technology leaders face a key moment to redefine the role of the CIO within organizations.
In a context where AI and automation are changing the way we operate, the CIO assumes a more strategic role. Their role is no longer limited to managing systems, but to driving innovation and ensuring that technology investments align with business objectives. “The CIO has become the catalyst for change and the guarantor of digital profitability,” noted the conference organizers.
This new approach, more results-oriented, reinforces the need to measure the real impact of each IT project, something that, according to the study, will be decisive for making budgetary decisions in the coming years.
