Artificial Intelligence has dominated technology conversations for several years, with much of the attention focused on cloud platforms, hyperscalers and fast-growing technology companies.
For organisations relying on the IBM i platform to run business-critical applications, however, the question has always been different: how can AI be adopted without compromising the stability, security and reliability that IBM i is justifiably known for?
At the recent i-UG i-Power Conference, that question was answered with absolute confidence.
AI has not only arrived on IBM i, but it has matured into a practical tool that can help solve real business challenges.
With solutions such as IBM Bob, a specialist implementation of IBM watsonx Orchestrate, organisations can bring the benefits of generative AI directly into existing green-screen applications, database structures and business processes.
Rather than replacing established systems, AI is enhancing them.
Tackling the IBM i skills gap through AI modernisation
One of the biggest challenges facing IBM i users is not the platform itself.
IBM i continues to be recognised for its reliability, resilience and long-term value.
The real challenge is maintaining decades of bespoke applications as experienced IBM i developers retire, move company, or are redeployed onto other projects, and valuable knowledge leaves with them.
Many businesses depend on complex RPG, COBOL and CL applications that have evolved over many years, and in some cases, decades.
These systems are often poorly documented, making it difficult for new developers to understand how they work or where to begin when making changes.
This is where IBM i AI modernisation can deliver immediate value.
Rather than embarking on expensive and high-risk IBM i migration or replatforming projects, businesses can use AI as an assistant that helps interpret existing applications and preserve valuable knowledge.
And assistant is the operative word there. It is not a complete replacement for IBM i expertise.
During hands-on demonstrations at i-Power, attendees saw IBM Bob analyse legacy code in real time.
Using a simple natural language interface, developers could ask questions such as:
- “Summarise what this SAMCO programme does.”
- “What is the purpose of this application?”
- “Explain how this section of code works.”
Within seconds, the AI analysed the source code and returned a clear, easy-to-understand explanation.
By dramatically reducing the time required to understand legacy applications, AI helps shorten the learning curve for new IBM i developers while making experienced teams significantly more productive.
Moving IBM i AI modernisation beyond development
The benefits of IBM watsonx Orchestrate extend well beyond software development.
System administrators can use AI to explore database schemas, identify system anomalies, locate relevant documentation and support modernisation projects with greater confidence.
AI becomes an additional member of the team, helping experienced IBM i developers complete routine tasks more efficiently while reducing the risks associated with changes to critical systems.
This demonstrates an important point about IBM i AI modernisation: modernising your IBM i environment does not mean replacing it.
It means giving your existing teams better tools to work more effectively and efficiently.
Building a smarter future for your IBM i
We can’t stress enough the importance of having reliable IBM i developer resources on hand to determine whether the actions an AI model is taking are actually correct.
Whether your objective is to accelerate development, document decades of legacy code or improve operational support, combining AI with experienced IBM i expertise offers a practical and sustainable path forward.
At Proximity, we help organisations modernise their IBM i applications through development, ongoing support, maintenance and strategic modernisation services.
If you’re ready to begin your IBM i AI modernisation journey and future-proof your IBM i applications, get in touch with our expert team to discuss your requirements and arrange a comprehensive systems assessment.
