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UK — The Register

IBM admits mainframes need to be modernized and will use AI to do the job

Software2 min read

IBM says its mainframes can get messy and hard to manage. It plans a new AI tool called IBM Z Atlas to help clean them up and make them easier to modernize.

IBM plans an AI tool for mainframes

IBM has announced a future product called IBM Z Atlas. The company says its Z series mainframes, which are large, powerful computers, can become complicated over time. This complexity can make them less reliable. Z Atlas is meant to map how all the parts of a mainframe work together, then use AI to help staff make changes safely.

Key facts

  • IBM Z Atlas is described in a Statement of Direction, which is a document that shows a plan for a future product.
  • IBM says the tool aims to stop the leading cause of unplanned z/OS outages: changes that have not been proven safe.
  • IBM says the current Z17 generation of mainframes has outsold all others by $1 billion, according to CEO Arvind Krishna.
  • IBM says Z Atlas will help customers understand systems, assess risks, plan modernization, and provide context for AI tools.

Why mainframes need help

Mainframes are old, powerful computers used by many large companies, such as banks. Over years, their systems grow tangled. Rivals often say the best fix is to move work off mainframes to other platforms. IBM takes a different view. It wants to make mainframes easier to manage so customers stay on them.

Why it matters

IBM is trying to show that mainframes can be kept up to date without being replaced. This matters for IBM because its revenue grows when new mainframe models sell well. The tool also shows a careful use of AI. IBM says humans will still review AI advice and make the final decisions, rather than letting AI agents run things on their own.

What to watch

  • Whether Z Atlas becomes a real product, since the current document is only a plan.
  • How well the tool finds risky changes before they cause outages.
  • Whether customers choose to modernize mainframes instead of moving work to other platforms.
  • How IBM balances AI help with human control over decisions.

Glossary

IBM
A large American technology company that sells computers, software, and AI services.
IBM Z Atlas
A planned IBM tool that uses AI to map and manage mainframe systems.
mainframe
A very large, powerful computer used by big organizations to handle huge amounts of work.
z/OS
The operating system, or main software, that runs IBM mainframes.

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