Is anyone really using AI on a mainframe?

We read a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) these days, and random people on LinkedIn message me about specific AI applications (not mainframe-based), but how can we really know what other sites are actually doing with AI on their mainframes?

Firstly, there was the Kyndryl survey that I wrote about in September. You can read it here. And now we have got the results from BMC’s mainframe survey, which you can find here. Their survey found that 45% of respondents listed artificial intelligence for IT operators (AIOps) and operational analytics as a top priority. The survey also found that 31% of respondents who have implemented AIOps perceive complexity as a major issue Tin addition, the survey found that 60% of extra-large mainframe organizations which are prioritizing AIOps are looking to solve this AIOps complexity issue using GenAI solutions, while 57 percent are using machine learning (ML)-based automation.

So, how many sites have actually got their hands dirty and are using some kind of AI? The survey found that 76% of organizations are using Generative AI (GenAI). GenAI is a type of AI that can create new content like images, videos, text, code, music, and audio. Analysing the data in a slightly different way, the survey found that 86% of respondents who are increasing their mainframe investment are using GenAI. It goes on to suggest that organizations with a flat or decreasing investment in their mainframe systems are significantly less likely to be using GenAI. The survey also found that 82% of those sites increasing their mainframe investment have a GenAI policy in place. I think the need for a GenAI policy cannot be overemphasized, and I pleased to see so many sites have one in place.

What benefits are those sites using GenAI finding they’re getting? The survey found that the benefits included significant improvements in efficiency and operational performance, with 40% reporting notable advancements. Where organizations were prioritizing AIOps, 45% of sites reported that GenAI is the most important capability to help them achieve their objectives.

What are the benefits of using GenAI to automate and optimize IT operations? The survey highlighted four areas, which were: 

• Automation: 37% of organizations want to use GenAI to eliminate repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and freeing up resources for strategic activities. 
• Identifying issues and risks: 36% of organizations want to analyse code and configuration files to identify problems and vulnerabilities, enhancing security. 
• Gaining insights: 34% of organizations want to augment existing expertise with critical business insights, supporting decision-making processes. 
• Training: 33% of organizations plan to use GenAI for onboarding and training new personnel, effectively bridging the knowledge gap.

What can we learn from this? I think we’re well past the toe-in-the-water stage of AI use on a mainframe. However, I’d like to see those figures cross the 50% threshold in order to view AI as completely accepted as a mainframe technology. From my own personal interest in mainframe security, I’d like to see close to 100% of sites using AI as part of their security posture against malware, ransomware, and people using AI as an easy way of breaching an organizations mainframe security.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the other results from that survey. 94% of respondents viewed the mainframe as a long-term platform or a platform for new workloads, which is heartening. And 90% of respondents said that their organizations are continuing to invest in their mainframes – hooray!

What priorities did they find in the survey? 64% of respondents had compliance and security as top of their list. Ransomware is also high on people’s agenda, but, worryingly, there was an 8% drop in those sites that found their ransomware controls to be extremely effective. As I’ve written about before, the bad actors are making it easier for non-experts to use their technology to breach mainframes. Cost optimization was also a top priority, and so was AIOps. Other respondents are looking at connecting mainframes to cloud-based workloads, and utilizing a cloud-based mainframe (mainframe as a service).

The survey also found that the use of Java for mainframe code is increasing. This, they suggest is not only because organizations want code that is accessible across platforms, but also because it allows developers to write mainframe code without needing additional training. The survey found both an increase in new applications being written in Java, as well as existing applications being rewritten in Java.

I always find surveys interesting to see what is going on at mainframe sites – or at least at the mainframe sites that are prepared to complete surveys. I think, the most significant result is the growth in the use of artificial intelligence on mainframes. So, to answer my title question, yes, people are using AI on the mainframe.

If you do like completing mainframe surveys, look out for the Arcati Mainframe Yearbook’s survey later in the year. You can find the whole thing, including the 2024 user survey report here.

Zowe LTS V3 released

Zowe the open source-software from the Open Mainframe Project of the Linux Foundation was originally launched to make it easy for IT specialists with no mainframe experience to be able to access and utilize data and applications on z/OS, using their knowledge and experience of tools that previously weren’t available on mainframes.

The Open Mainframe Project (OMP) describes Zowe as an open-source software framework for the mainframe that strengthens integration with modern enterprise processes and tools, offers vendors and customers the ability to execute on modernization initiatives with stability, security, interoperability, as well as easy installation and a continuous delivery model for receiving upgraded features.

On 3 October, the OMP announced the launch of Zowe’s Long Term Support (LTS) V3 Release. 

For mainframers who are still a little unfamiliar Zowe, the press release tells us that it’s an integrated and extensible open-source framework for z/OS, and that it comes with a core set of applications out of the box in combination with the APIs and OS capabilities future applications will depend on. It offers modern interfaces to interact with z/OS and allows users to work with z/OS in a way that is similar to how they will have worked on cloud platforms. Developers can use these interfaces as delivered or through plug-ins and extensions that are created by clients or third-party vendors. For example, Zowe V3 offers new support for the IntelliJ Zowe Explorer plugin as well as the simplified install wizard.

The press release lists some of the benefits of the LTS V3 including:

• Durability: a refreshed number of core components that make up the software stack to give a secure stable shelf life, which ensures years of use with continued updates and support.
• Stability: the installation and configuration have been stabilized through V3. Organizations can confidently adopt the technology for enterprise use and upgrade when appropriate for their environment, minimizing the risk of disruption.
• Enhanced security: an enhanced security posture by actively monitoring dependencies and upgrading them proactively. This helps mitigate risks associated with outdated or vulnerable dependencies, offering more robust security features compared to earlier versions.

The new release of Zowe increases product durability, stability, and security with the support of a large open-source community and a Conformance Program.

Because of my long association with the Arcati Mainframe Yearbook, I am always pleased to see its survey results quoted in press releases. This one says: “According to the Arcati Mainframe Yearbook 2024, the independent annual guide for users of mainframe systems, 85% of mainframe organizations will be adopting Zowe by the end of the year or have already adopted it into their modern enterprise solutions.”

“The continued success of Zowe as a community-driven project highlights the importance of the mainframe as an open platform supporting hybrid cloud architectures”, said George Decandio, chief technology officer, Mainframe Software Division, Broadcom. “The latest V3 release introduces new components that expand capabilities to client SDKs and additional IDEs, reflecting Zowe’s ongoing evolution to meet the needs of the mainframe ecosystem. Notably, this update enhances the Zowe API Mediation Layer, a key component our customers view as essential in transforming the role of the mainframe in their multi-platform environments.”

“Zowe’s progress underscores a broader commitment to open, interoperable standards, enabling organizations to maximize the value of their mainframe and IT infrastructure investments”, said Decandio. “Broadcom is proud to be a leading contributor to this community and is committed to supporting the project’s continued growth.”

“Zowe V3 is the culmination of five years of work by volunteers from around the world”, said Bruce Armstrong, IBM Z Principal Product Manager at IBM and member of the Zowe Advisory Council (ZAC). “I am particularly proud of the fact that Zowe has revolutionized access to z/OS-based services for thousands of next-generation developers and system programmers that will continue the platform’s success for decades to come.”

“Rocket Software is a proud founding contributor of Zowe”, said Tim Willging, Fellow and VP of Software Engineering at Rocket Software. “It’s been incredible to see the success and passion of the open-source community in supporting hybrid cloud initiatives. The expanded capabilities in the V3 release will help accelerate an organization’s modernization journey and provide them with enhanced security, maintainability, and scalability needed to match their customers’ needs – now and in the future.”

Zowe is a contributor-led community with participating vendors such as, but are not limited to, Broadcom, IBM, Phoenix Software, Rocket Software, and Vicom Infinity. As a result of their extensive collaboration, the following Zowe extensions have been transformed in Zowe V3:

• Explorer for Intellij provides the developers within the IntelliJ IDEs with the capability to work with the z/OS platform.
• Kotlin and Java SDKs are Generally Available Extensions simplifying interaction with z/OS from the Java and Kotlin applications.
• The IMS service and the current CLI extensions are archived. IBM is working on replacements.
• The Zowe Conformance Program is updated with LTS V3 Guidelines.

Aimed to build a vendor-neutral ecosystem around Zowe, the OMP’s Zowe Conformance Program was launched in 2019. The program has helped OMP members incorporate Zowe with new and existing products that enable integration of mainframe applications and data across the enterprise.

To date, 77 products have implemented extensions based on the Zowe framework and earned these members conformance badges.

Additional resources include the Zowe GitHub Repository, the Zowe Community Website, and the Getting Started documentation site.

The Open Mainframe Project is an open source initiative that enables collaboration across the mainframe community to develop shared tool sets and resources. It is intended to serve as a focal point for deployment and use of Linux and open source in a mainframe computing environment. With a vision of open source on the mainframe as the standard for enterprise-class systems and applications, the project’s mission is to build community and adoption of open source on the mainframe by eliminating barriers to open source adoption on the mainframe, demonstrating value of the mainframe on technical and business levels, and strengthening collaboration points and resources for the community to thrive.