
IAB: US Ad Spend Jumps 9.5% in 2026, Fueled by Agentic AI
US ad spending is set to jump 9.5% in 2026, driven mostly by digital ads and smart AI tools. Social media, connected TV, and online shopping ads will see the biggest growth, with budgets rising fast. New types of AI are helping marketers plan and run campaigns much quicker and smarter. Even though some worry about keeping up with AI and changing customer habits, most companies are excited and ready to use these tools in a big way. 2026 will be the year that AI becomes a regular part of how ads are bought and measured.













