Gartner forecasts six major cloud trends to transform businesses by 2029

Gartner’s forecast highlights that succeeding in cloud computing requires not just technology adoption but also strategic planning, agile execution, and alignment with emerging trends such as AI, sustainability, and digital sovereignty to lead in the digital economy

In its latest report, global research body Gartner, Inc. has unveiled six critical trends expected to reshape cloud adoption and usage over the next four years. These trends underscore the cloud’s rapid evolution from a simple technology tool to an indispensable business catalyst that drives innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Joe Rogus, Director of Advisory at Gartner, explained the profound shift, stating, “Cloud is transitioning from a technology enabler to a business disruptor, becoming an essential part of how organizations achieve their goals. In the years ahead, cloud platforms will unlock new business models, fresh competitive edges, and innovative approaches to business missions.”

Rising cloud dissatisfaction signals strategic realignment

While cloud adoption rates continue their upward trajectory, Gartner warns that dissatisfaction with cloud outcomes is growing. By 2028, a quarter of organizations are predicted to experience significant dissatisfaction stemming from inflated expectations, flawed deployments, and runaway costs.

“Cloud migration is not a guaranteed success,” Rogus emphasized. “Companies that lack a robust strategy and disciplined execution often struggle.” Gartner suggests organizations sharpen their strategic focus on cloud adoption, recommending that enterprises with a clear plan and well-managed implementation will see a reduction in dissatisfaction by 2029.

Explosive growth of AI and machine learning in cloud environments

The demand for AI and machine learning workloads is poised for unprecedented growth, with cloud hyperscalers leading the charge. These providers are integrating AI capabilities into core infrastructure, enhancing partnerships, and leveraging vast datasets to develop smarter AI models.

Gartner predicts that by 2029, AI and ML workloads will consume about half of all cloud computing resources—up from under 10% today. This fivefold increase signals a critical inflection point for organizations to reassess their data center and cloud strategies to effectively manage AI-driven demand.

Rogus urged organizations to “bring AI processing closer to data sources” to support this rapid expansion, stressing the importance of readiness in infrastructure and skills.

Multicloud adoption faces interoperability hurdles

Many enterprises adopt multicloud strategies to leverage the best features of different providers, but Gartner identifies significant interoperability challenges that impede seamless integration and limit value realization.

The firm forecasts that over 50% of organizations will fail to achieve their intended results from multicloud initiatives by 2029 due to these complexities. Gartner recommends identifying specific business cases that benefit from distributed applications and cross-cloud data deployment, enabling workloads to collaborate efficiently across cloud and on-premises environments.

Industry-specific cloud platforms gain traction

A growing trend is the adoption of industry-focused cloud platforms tailored to address the unique needs of vertical sectors such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Gartner anticipates that by 2029, more than half of organizations will leverage these specialized platforms to fast-track digital transformation.

However, Gartner advises viewing industry cloud platforms as complementary to broader IT ecosystems rather than replacements, helping organizations avoid technical debt while driving innovation and improving business outcomes.

Digital sovereignty emerges as a critical priority

Increased AI adoption, stricter privacy laws, and geopolitical uncertainties have fueled demand for digital sovereignty—ensuring data and cloud infrastructure remain under national or organizational control.

Gartner projects that by 2029, over half of multinational corporations will have adopted digital sovereignty strategies, a stark increase from less than 10% today. Rogus noted that while numerous sovereign cloud solutions are available, organizations must carefully define their compliance and security needs to select the right technologies that protect data integrity and operational continuity.

Sustainability becomes integral to cloud decisions

Environmental concerns are increasingly influencing cloud infrastructure choices. Regulators, investors, and consumers alike are pushing companies to align technology investments with sustainability goals.

As AI workloads intensify energy consumption, organizations face mounting pressure to measure and mitigate their environmental impact. Gartner’s research shows that by 2029, more than 50% of global organizations will incorporate sustainability into procurement decisions.

To fully realize cloud value, Gartner advises companies to align sustainability initiatives with broader business goals—balancing ecological benefits with economic and social impacts.