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.