IBM z17: The first mainframe fully engineered for the AI age
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the IBM z17, the next generation of the company's iconic mainframe, fully engineered with AI capabilities across hardware, software, and systems operations. Powered by the new IBM Telum® II processor, IBM z17 expands the system's capabilities beyond transactional AI capabilities to enable new workloads.
IBM Z is built to redefine AI at scale, positioning enterprises to score 100% of their transactions in real-time. z17 enables businesses to drive innovation and do more, including the ability to process 50 percent more AI inference operations per day than z16.2 The new IBM z17 is built to drive business value across industries with a wide range of more than 250 AI use cases, such as mitigating loan risk, managing chatbot services, supporting medical image analysis or impeding retail crime, among others.
IBM z17 is the culmination of five years of design and development which included the filing of more than 300 patent applications filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Designed with the direct input of more than 100 clients and in close collaboration with IBM Research and Software teams; the new system introduces multi-model AI capabilities, new security features to protect data, and tools that leverage AI for improving system usability and management:
Bringing AI to Data – z17 AI inferencing capabilities are powered by a second-generation on-chip AI accelerator built into the IBM Telum® II processor, featuring increased frequency, compute capacity, a 40 percent growth in cache, enabling more than 450 billion inferencing operations in a day and one millisecond response time.2
Expanding Acceleration for AI – The IBM Spyre™ Accelerator expected to be available 4Q 2025 via PCIe card, will provide additional AI compute capabilities to complement the Telum® II processor. Together, they will create optimized environments to support multi-model methods of AI. The Spyre™ Accelerator is specially engineered to bring generative AI capabilities to the mainframe including running assistants, leveraging enterprise data contained in the system.
Leveraging AI to Enhance User Experience – z17 is designed to bolster the skills and efficiency of developers and IT operations with the use of AI assistants and AI agents, including IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z and IBM watsonx Assistant for Z. In addition, for the first time, watsonx Assistant for Z will be integrated with Z Operations Unite to provide AI chat-based incident detection and resolution using live systems data.
'The industry is quickly learning that AI will only be as valuable as the infrastructure it runs on,' said Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia. 'With z17, we're bringing AI to the core of the enterprise with the software, processing power, and storage to make AI operational quickly. Additionally, organizations can put their vast, untapped stores of enterprise data to work with AI in a secured, cost-effective way.'
Fully Integrated Across Hardware and Software
IBM z17 is a system designed from the ground up to fully integrate into hybrid environments by tightly joining hardware innovations, software capabilities for AI, and rich support for open-standards and tooling. This enables differentiated performance and reliability while reimagining how developers and systems operators engage with and manage IBM Z, including:
Operating System for AI – IBM also previewed z/OS 3.2, the next version of its flagship operating system for IBM Z, planned to be released in the third quarter of 2025. z/OS 3.2 is designed to support hardware-accelerated AI capabilities across the system and operational AI insights for system management capabilities. Additionally, z/OS 3.2 will provide support for modern data access methods, NoSQL databases, and hybrid cloud data processing. These new capabilities will help AI software tap into a broader set of enterprise data and derive predictive business insights.
Unified IT Operations – Also announced today was IBM Z Operations Unite, which brings together key performance metrics and logs from multiple sources across IBM Z, in OpenTelemetry format, to streamline IBM Z operations with AI. The new solution is designed to accelerate the time to detect anomalies, isolate the impact of potential incidents, and reduce the resolution time. Used in conjunction with IBM Concert, operations teams can benefit from intelligent correlation of operational data across the entire enterprise. IBM Operations Unite will be generally available in May, 2025.
AI Accelerator for Business Efficiency – With the expansion options for the IBM Spyre™ Accelerator expected to be available 4Q 2025 via PCIe card, IBM z17 aims to transform the user experience on the platform. Clients will be able to run IBM's growing catalog of assistants and agents, based on IBM's Granite models, natively on z17 without taking on the added risk associated with moving data or sensitive business logic off platform. Together, these solutions are engineered to form an optimized stack, to enable clients to drive more productivity with security and scale.
Built for Resiliency: Security and Cyber Defense at the Core
IBM z17 furthers the platform's history of strong security and resiliency capabilities. New developments in AI have enabled the deployment of added intelligence across this ever-growing area of importance for clients as new threats appear every day. This includes several new capabilities, including:
Secrets Management – Capabilities from HashiCorp, an IBM Company, announced in March are now available on IBM Z to help standardize secrets management across hybrid cloud. IBM Vault uses identity-based security to authenticate and authorize access to secrets, certificates, keys, tokens and other sensitive data. With the addition of IBM Vault, clients can have a single solution to help protect critical workloads by managing the entire secrets lifecycle across their full IT estate.
AI-powered Data Security – IBM intends to deliver new capabilities for discovering and classifying sensitive data on the platform. This would tap into Telum® II and utilize natural language processing so mission-critical data can be identified and protected. Additionally, our latest AI-driven security solution, IBM Threat Detection for z/OS, is designed to detect and identify potentially malicious anomalies that might be the result of a cyber-attack.
IBM Extends AI-Enabled Support to IBM z17
IBM's tailored, comprehensive support experience helps IBM Z clients meet demands beyond traditional maintenance. Delivered by IBM Technology Lifecycle Services, IBM Support for z17 helps clients optimize their environments for peak performance to address risk and disruptions for mission-critical operations. IBM's AI processes streamline incident remediation and help improve case resolution time, built on IBM watsonx, now support IBM Z systems.
IBM Delivers Secured and Agile Storage
IBM Storage DS8000 plays a key role as an integrated storage solution for IBM Z. The latest generation of IBM Storage DS8000 (10th Generation) is designed to harness the full power of IBM z17, providing organizations access to critical workloads, consistent and optimized data performance, and a modular architecture to adopt the latest IBM research-backed technologies to fuel business growth while monetizing data. Together, IBM Z and IBM Storage offer a modern infrastructure delivering a secured and agile platform for mission-critical workloads.
Availability
IBM z17 will be generally available June 18, 2025 For more information, visit IBM.com/z17. The IBM Spyre™ Accelerator is expected to be available starting in Q4 2025.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sport360
a day ago
- Sport360
Real Madrid icon Casillas headlines Hisense launch in Dubai as 116' UX TV captivates fans
As FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ heats up ahead of thrilling quarter-final encounters across the United States, football legend Iker Casillas delivered a standout moment off the pitch – unveiling Hisense's monumental 116' UX TV at Dubai's Mall of the Emirates. Saturday's packed event marked the finale of a 10-day football-themed roadshow by Hisense, the tournament's official partner and TV screen provider. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Casillas brought star power to the Hisense Arena, drawing supporters eager to see both the football icon and the brand's most advanced technological leap. His visit included a live stage appearance, interactive fan moments and an exclusive tour of Hisense's Dubai-based R&D Centre where he explored the brand's next-generation innovations. 'Technology has become an essential part of how fans experience football today,' Casillas told the crowd. 'Whether you're in the stadium or at home, the quality of the viewing experience shapes how you connect with the game. 'It's impressive to see how companies like Hisense are pushing the boundaries of what's possible.' The newly launched 116' RGB MiniLED TV is a game-changer in home entertainment, introducing RGB 3D colour control for precise light and colour balance. Coupled with Hisense's most advanced AI processor and a new MiniLED backlight chip, the UX TV delivers unprecedented contrast, colour fidelity and energy efficiency. It's a display built to replicate the thrill of the stadium right in your living room. Casillas, who claimed 25 major honours with Real Madrid, Porto and Spain, was visibly impressed by what he saw – both at the roadshow activation and during his behind-the-scenes visit to the R&D Centre. He said: 'Seeing the innovation behind the scenes gives you a real appreciation for how much work goes into creating the technology that supports the sport. From stadium screens to home TVs, it's all about bringing fans closer to the game.' Casillas also reflected on the broader impact of Hisense and similar global brands, saying: 'They don't just sponsor the game, they help it grow. By supporting teams, tournaments and fan experiences they create moments that unite people through football – like this visit to Dubai.' Alongside the UX TV, Hisense also showcased other advancements. These included the 'AI Your Match' feature which uses real-time data to personalise the viewing experience based on match context and the ConnectLife smart ecosystem which integrates appliances and entertainment for a seamless connected home. Limited edition Real Madrid products were also displayed, celebrating the brand's ongoing partnership with the iconic club. Jason Ou, President of Hisense Middle East and Africa, emphasised the brand's commitment to merging sport and innovation. He said: 'We're honoured to welcome Iker Casillas to Dubai for this special launch. At Hisense we're passionate about connecting people with the sports they love. 'The 116' UX TV is a testament to that mission, delivering a truly immersive viewing experience that brings fans closer to every pass, goal and celebration.' Meanwhile, FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ has continued to deliver standout performances with powerhouses from Europe, Asia and the Americas showcasing their talents on the global stage. Shocks on the pitch in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Round of 16 included Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal beating Premier League heavyweights Manchester City 4-3 in extra time, and 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores™ champions Fluminense eliminating 2024/25 UEFA Champions League™ finalists Internazionale via a 2-0 win. Casillas believes that the tournament, particularly when combined with global tech collaborations, plays a vital role in growing the sport, especially in regions like the Middle East. He said: 'Tournaments like the Club World Cup give teams and players in the region a global platform. It raises the level of competition and inspires the next generation to dream bigger.' Casillas views the Middle East as a rising force in global football. He said: 'There's a clear commitment to excellence here – from youth development to hosting major events. I think we're only seeing the beginning of what this region can offer.' Hisense's activation at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ showcased its unique blend of football tradition and state-of-the-art technology. Through global partnerships with tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup™, UEFA EURO™ and Real Madrid, Hisense continues to redefine how audiences connect with the sport.
TECHx
2 days ago
- TECHx
Qlik Trust Score for AI Now Available in Talend Cloud
Home » Tech Value Chain » Global Brands » Qlik Trust Score for AI Now Available in Talend Cloud Qlik®, a global in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence, has announced the general availability of Qlik Trust Score™ for AI. This innovation is now included within Qlik Talend Cloud®. It helps organizations assess whether data is truly ready for AI before it reaches a model. The Qlik Trust Score for AI introduces purpose-built scoring across AI-specific dimensions. It is designed to help companies establish strong data foundations for responsible and scalable AI. As AI adoption grows, many businesses face a critical challenge they don't know if the data feeding their models is trustworthy. Qlik's solution addresses this by offering a single, intuitive score that reveals where data trust breaks down. This helps prevent bias, drift, and faulty outcomes. Drew Clarke, EVP of Product and Technology at Qlik, stated, 'Most companies still treat data trust like an IT hygiene issue. It's not. It's the foundation of every AI decision a business makes.' He added that without the ability to measure trust, organizations are gambling with outcomes, compliance, and customer experience. The Qlik Trust Score for AI provides a real-time signal that data is fit for purpose. This tool builds on Qlik's existing Trust Score framework with three new AI-focused dimensions: Diversity: Measures representativeness and balance to reduce training bias. Timeliness: Assesses freshness of data for relevant decision-making. Accuracy: Flags values that break business rules or lack reliability. These features combine with metrics like Discoverability and Usage. The solution supports AI training, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, and intelligent automation. Security and LLM Readiness metrics are expected in future updates. Qlik also revealed plans for Trust Score historization, enabling users to track trends over time. This helps correlate trust shifts with issues like model drift or performance drops. In addition, Qlik reported an early access program for an AI-native Data Stewardship experience in Qlik Talend Cloud. Launching this fall, the feature aims to detect and resolve data issues earlier. It will include automated rules, human-in-the-loop workflows, and platform-wide governance. Ritu Jyoti, Group VP/GM at IDC, noted that many AI initiatives fail because of untrustworthy data. 'Without visible metrics for data trust, organizations risk costly failures and stalled adoption,' she said. Charles Link, Senior Director of Data and Analytics at Reworld, emphasized that trust in data is critical. 'The hardest part of AI is rarely the model. It's trusting the data behind it,' he said. A recent Qlik survey revealed only 42% of executives fully trust AI-generated insights, despite nearly 90% seeing AI as vital to their strategy. Qlik Trust Score for AI helps bridge this trust gap with an objective and repeatable framework. It aligns with emerging governance standards. Qlik is the first to deliver a unified, AI-specific trust signal directly into the data pipeline. It integrates measurement, monitoring, and remediation in one platform. The feature is now generally available for Qlik Talend Cloud Enterprise Edition customers.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
LF Labs is turning crypto into real-world payments
LF Labs is building a unified Web3 ecosystem with tools like the LF Wallet and blockchain-powered PoS machines, while accelerating early-stage crypto startups through funding and liquidity support. As the crypto industry matures, projects that focus solely on hype or niche utility are giving way to those offering real-world, end-to-end value. One such emerging force is LF Labs, a multi-pronged Web3 infrastructure builder that is rapidly gaining traction. Rather than confining itself to a single function or product, LF Labs is constructing a full-stack crypto ecosystem aimed at solving the fragmentation in blockchain adoption. Its offerings span across the entire value chain — from early-stage project acceleration to merchant-ready crypto payment tools, bringing Web3 closer to everyday users and businesses. At the heart of LF Labs is the LF Accelerator, a launchpad initiative that goes beyond passive VC-style investment. The accelerator programme provides early-stage crypto startups with not just funding, but access to robust market-making services that ensure liquidity and sustained trading volume — two essential factors for any token project's survival. This approach makes LF Labs more than just an investor. It becomes a strategic partner committed to long-term success, offering both capital and operational infrastructure. With an emphasis on building sustainable token economies, LF Labs aims to set a higher bar for what early-stage support should look like in Web3. As adoption expands, user-friendly crypto tools are becoming increasingly critical. Enter the LF Wallet — a soon-to-launch, non-custodial wallet designed for mainstream usage. This non-custodial wallet is designed to be the user's all-in-one crypto control centre. It will offer features like staking, swapping, and most notably, integration with Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines. The wallet will also support LF Coin-based post payment options, enabling users to make real-world purchases and settle payments later using LF Coin. This flexible model is a bold step toward bridging crypto with traditional consumer behavior- buy now, pay later, but decentralised. LF Labs' blockchain-powered Point-of-Sale system brings crypto payments to merchants of all kinds — whether food trucks, retail stores, or Web3 events by enabling on-the-spot transactions just like credit or debit cards. Early access for the devices is now open via with limited units available.
