Citigroup Raises Big Tech AI Spending Forecast to $2.8 Trillion by 2029

Citigroup has raised its forecast for Big Tech's AI infrastructure spending to $2.8 trillion by 2029, up from $2.3 trillion, driven by hyperscalers like Microsoft and Amazon amid surging demand for data centers and GPUs. This reflects AI's transformative potential, despite challenges like massive power needs straining global grids.
Citigroup Raises Big Tech AI Spending Forecast to $2.8 Trillion by 2029
Written by Andrew Cain

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, Citigroup has significantly ramped up its projections for Big Tech’s infrastructure investments, signaling a monumental shift in how companies are betting on AI’s future. According to a recent report from the bank, spending on AI-related infrastructure by tech giants is now expected to surpass $2.8 trillion by 2029, a notable increase from the previous estimate of $2.3 trillion. This revision, detailed in Citigroup’s latest analysis on Yahoo Finance, underscores aggressive early commitments from hyperscalers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet, coupled with burgeoning enterprise demand for advanced computing power.

The forecast highlights a surge in capital expenditures, particularly for data centers and high-performance GPUs essential for training AI models. Citigroup attributes this escalation to capacity constraints that have already prompted billions in investments to accommodate the explosive growth in AI applications. For instance, the report notes that data center operators are racing to expand facilities, with power demands projected to require an additional 55 gigawatts by 2030—equivalent to powering millions of homes.

Escalating Investments and Market Implications

Posts on X from industry analysts, such as those by Beth Kindig, emphasize how firms like Nvidia are poised to benefit enormously, with sovereign AI demand driving a 13% upward revision in the 2028 AI compute market to $563 billion. This aligns with Citigroup’s view that networking equipment alone could account for $119 billion of that total, up from prior estimates. Meanwhile, specific company projections paint a vivid picture: Microsoft is slated to pour $85 billion into capital expenditures in 2025, while Meta anticipates $65 billion, according to aggregated insights from X users tracking technology trends.

These figures aren’t isolated; they reflect a broader trend where Big Tech is reallocating resources amid economic pressures. Alphabet, for example, boosted its capital spending by 62% in a recent quarter, even as it trimmed its workforce, as reported in web sources like ThenaAI’s coverage. Such moves illustrate a strategic pivot toward AI as a revenue driver—Microsoft’s AI products are already on track to generate $10 billion annually, marking the company’s fastest-growing segment ever.

The Power Crunch and Infrastructure Challenges

Yet, this spending spree isn’t without hurdles. Citigroup warns of the immense energy requirements, with AI compute needs potentially straining global power grids. News from The Globe and Mail echoes this, noting that data centers have already invested billions to alleviate bottlenecks, but the path to 2029 could involve substantial borrowing and partnerships with energy providers.

Industry insiders point to the ripple effects on chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD, which are expected to see massive surges in demand. A report from Invezz suggests that Nvidia’s stock target has been lifted by Citi, citing stronger AI spending outlooks that could propel the company’s growth amid this trillion-dollar boom.

Enterprise Adoption and Global Economic Ties

Beyond hardware, the forecast anticipates growing enterprise appetite for AI tools, from code generation to operational efficiencies. Alphabet uses AI to write over 25% of its new code, streamlining processes, as per details in various web analyses. This enterprise shift is global; in markets like India, AI could add $500 billion to GDP by 2025, according to ThenaAI, prompting hyperscalers to expand internationally.

Comparisons with other forecasts, such as Gartner’s prediction of $1.5 trillion in worldwide AI investments for 2025 alone, from Digital Terminal, suggest Citigroup’s numbers are ambitious yet grounded in current trajectories. McKinsey and Bain & Company, as cited in InfotechLead, align on trillions in spending by 2030, indicating a consensus on AI’s transformative potential.

Strategic Shifts and Future Outlook

For investors and executives, these projections imply a reevaluation of portfolios. X posts from Market Intelligence highlight how companies like Oklo are eyeing nuclear power solutions to meet the 55GW demand, potentially creating new investment avenues. Citigroup’s report, updated as of September 30, 2025, positions AI infrastructure as a cornerstone of tech strategy, with hyperscalers committing nearly $320 billion this year alone, per X analyses.

Ultimately, this forecast from Citigroup isn’t just about dollars—it’s a bet on AI reshaping industries. As enterprise adoption accelerates and infrastructure scales, the coming years could define winners in a high-stakes race, with implications extending to global economies and innovation frontiers. While risks like overinvestment loom, the momentum suggests AI’s ascent is only beginning, backed by unprecedented financial commitments from Big Tech’s heavyweights.

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