CIOs see business case for more tech investment in 2021

The shift to remote work and need for business-continuity software during the pandemic mean CIOs have a strong case for boosting IT budgets and investments in 2021, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

"If you're not always planning for the future in technology, you're going to be left behind," said Maya Liebman, executive vice president and CIO of American Airlines Group.

The pandemic justifies the business case behind spending on more technology across industries, and in healthcare the need becomes even greater to solidify virtual care and protect patient information.

Gartner, a technology research and consulting firm, estimates global IT spending will jump 4.3 percent in 2021 to reach about $3.7 trillion. Cloud-based IT infrastructure spending is expected to hit $64.3 billion next year, a 27.6 percent growth over 2020.