IBM z17 Launches with Built-In AI for Enterprise Workloads
IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced the IBM z17, the next-generation mainframe fully designed with artificial intelligence capabilities. Built on the new IBM Telum® II processor, the z17 takes a major step forward by extending beyond transactional AI into new AI-powered workloads.
The new system supports more than 250 enterprise use cases. These include tasks like loan risk mitigation, chatbot management, retail crime detection, and medical image analysis. According to IBM, the z17 can process 50% more AI inference operations per day than the previous generation, the z16. It is also designed to score 100% of transactions in real-time.
The IBM z17 results from five years of development and over 300 patent applications. The system was built with insights from more than 100 clients, in collaboration with IBM Research and Software teams. It introduces multi-model AI, enhanced security, and tools for better usability through AI.
With its second-gen on-chip AI accelerator, the z17 performs over 450 billion inferencing operations daily, delivering one-millisecond response times. IBM has also previewed the IBM Spyre™ Accelerator, expected in Q4 2025, to offer even more AI computing through a PCIe card. This card is engineered to support generative AI models and run enterprise assistants on the mainframe.
Developers and IT teams will benefit from integrated AI agents like IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z and watsonx Assistant for Z. For the first time, the latter will also be integrated with Z Operations Unite. This will allow AI-powered, chat-based incident detection using live data.
Ross Mauri, GM of IBM Z and LinuxONE, said, 'AI is only as valuable as the infrastructure it runs on. With z17, we're bringing AI to the core of the enterprise.'
The new system is designed to operate seamlessly in hybrid environments. IBM z17 combines hardware innovations with software capabilities and support for open standards. Developers and system operators can expect enhanced performance and simplified management.
Alongside z17, IBM previewed z/OS 3.2, its upcoming operating system version, expected in Q3 2025. z/OS 3.2 will support hardware-accelerated AI, improved system insights, and hybrid data processing. It also adds support for NoSQL databases and modern access methods.
To unify operations, IBM announced IBM Z Operations Unite. Launching in May 2025, it will streamline data and performance monitoring through OpenTelemetry. Combined with IBM Concert, the system will use AI to detect anomalies and reduce resolution times.
Security remains a key feature. IBM Vault, now available on IBM Z, manages secrets across hybrid environments using identity-based access. Future capabilities will also include AI-powered data classification and anomaly detection through IBM Threat Detection for z/OS.
Support for the new platform is expanding. IBM Technology Lifecycle Services now offers AI-driven support for z17 to enhance case resolution times and reduce operational risk.
Storage is also optimized. IBM Storage DS8000 (10th Gen) works with z17 to deliver consistent performance and secure access to mission-critical workloads. The modular design allows organizations to adopt new IBM-backed technologies while improving data value.
IBM z17 will be generally available starting June 18, 2025. The IBM Spyre™ Accelerator will follow in Q4 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Channel Post MEA
7 hours ago
- Channel Post MEA
IBM Offers Zero Downtime With Power11
IBM has revealed IBM Power11, the next generation of IBM Power servers. Redesigned with innovations across its processor, hardware architecture, and virtualization software stack, Power11 is designed to deliver the availability, resiliency, performance, and scalability enterprises demand, for seamless hybrid deployment on-premises or in IBM Cloud. Organizations across industries have long run their most mission-critical, data-intensive workloads on IBM Power, most notably those within the banking, healthcare, retail, and government spaces. Now, enterprises face an onslaught of new technologies and solutions as they transition into the age of AI. IDC found that one billion new logical applications are expected by 2028, and the proliferation of these systems poses new complexities for companies. IBM built Power11 to deliver simplified, always-on operations with hybrid cloud flexibility for enterprises to maintain competitiveness in the AI era. Power11 is designed to be the most resilient server in the history of the IBM Power platform, with 99.9999% of uptime. Together with zero planned downtime for system maintenance and less than one-minute guaranteed ransomware threat detection with IBM Power Cyber Vault, Power11 sets a new bar for business continuity, addressing both planned and cyber-incident-related downtime. For the first time ever, the Power11 general availability will simultaneously include high-end, mid-range, and entry servers as well as IBM Power Virtual Server in IBM Cloud. IBM Power Virtual Server offers a fast path to the cloud for Power workloads, and is certified as a hyperscaler platform for RISE with SAP. Power11 will also be the first IBM Power server to support the IBM Spyre Accelerator, IBM's system-on-a-chip available Q4 2025 that is purpose-built for today's AI-intensive inference workloads. Available across IBM's enterprise systems portfolio, including Power11, IBM z17, and LinuxONE 5, Spyre will deliver advanced AI acceleration to help organizations scale AI across hybrid cloud environments. With support for autonomous operations, Power11 delivers intelligent performance gains that reduce complexity and improve workload efficiency. Power11 offers up to 55% better core performance compared to Power9 and has up to 45% more capacity with higher core counts in entry and mid-range systems compared to Power10. This upgraded performance means that with Power11, enterprises are positioned to achieve enhanced flexibility and security, to transform their enterprise processes through automation. With Power11, customers can expect: Zero planned downtime for system maintenance. Power11 provides enterprises with a solution that can avoid costly planned downtime and help reduce operational risk. Through advanced technologies like autonomous patching and automated workload movement, planned system maintenance events can occur without ever taking critical applications offline. This feature can free IT professionals from spending time planning, testing, and executing upgrades to their systems, to focusing on higher-value work and innovation. Furthermore, IBM Power will interoperate with IBM Concert using generative AI to help identify operational risks, provide actionable insights, and automate remediation, starting with security patch management. IBM Technology Lifecycle Services (TLS), IBM's global infrastructure support provider, complements this feature with premium, AI-powered services designed to help proactively monitor system health, reduce downtime, and optimize system reliability and performance. Power11 provides enterprises with a solution that can avoid costly planned downtime and help reduce operational risk. Through advanced technologies like autonomous patching and automated workload movement, planned system maintenance events can occur without ever taking critical applications offline. This feature can free IT professionals from spending time planning, testing, and executing upgrades to their systems, to focusing on higher-value work and innovation. Furthermore, IBM Power will interoperate with IBM Concert using generative AI to help identify operational risks, provide actionable insights, and automate remediation, starting with security patch management. IBM Technology Lifecycle Services (TLS), IBM's global infrastructure support provider, complements this feature with premium, AI-powered services designed to help proactively monitor system health, reduce downtime, and optimize system reliability and performance. Less than one minute ransomware threat detection with IBM Power Cyber Vault. The Power Cyber Vault solution is an integrated cyber resiliency solution following NIST cybersecurity framework to help identify, protect, detect, and automatically respond to cyber threats. Cyber Vault provides protection against cyberattacks such as data corruption and encryption with proactive immutable snapshots that are automatically captured, stored, and tested on a custom-defined schedule. Power11 also uses NIST-approved built-in quantum-safe cryptography designed to help protect systems from harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks as well as firmware integrity attacks. The Power Cyber Vault solution is an integrated cyber resiliency solution following NIST cybersecurity framework to help identify, protect, detect, and automatically respond to cyber threats. Cyber Vault provides protection against cyberattacks such as data corruption and encryption with proactive immutable snapshots that are automatically captured, stored, and tested on a custom-defined schedule. Power11 also uses NIST-approved built-in quantum-safe cryptography designed to help protect systems from harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks as well as firmware integrity attacks. Transformed business processes with AI integration. Power11 delivers AI-ready infrastructure with built-in, on-chip acceleration for inferencing and will be able to scale to support mission-critical AI workloads through the IBM Spyre Accelerator. Combined with Red Hat OpenShift AI and a broad ecosystem of open-source software and toolkits, Power11 is built to provide the flexibility and performance needed to operationalize AI across hybrid environments. To further modernize application development, IBM watsonx Code Assistant for i will help developers extend critical RPG applications for greater ease and productivity. IBM will also make its hybrid, open data lakehouse, available on Power11 by the end of 2025. Power11 delivers AI-ready infrastructure with built-in, on-chip acceleration for inferencing and will be able to scale to support mission-critical AI workloads through the IBM Spyre Accelerator. Combined with Red Hat OpenShift AI and a broad ecosystem of open-source software and toolkits, Power11 is built to provide the flexibility and performance needed to operationalize AI across hybrid environments. To further modernize application development, IBM watsonx Code Assistant for i will help developers extend critical RPG applications for greater ease and productivity. IBM will also make its hybrid, open data lakehouse, available on Power11 by the end of 2025. Efficient IT that saves time and money. Beyond the autonomous processes that support zero planned downtime and IBM Power Cyber Vault, Power11 delivers meaningful efficiency gains across the IT stack. Separately, in terms of energy efficiency, Power11 offers twice the performance per watt versus comparable x86 servers and up to 28 percent better server efficiency with the new Energy Efficient Mode compared to Maximum Performance Mode on Power11. 'IBM Power11 changes the game for enterprise computing,' said Tom McPherson , GM, Power Systems at IBM. 'With Power11, clients can accelerate into the AI era with innovations tailored to their most pressing business needs. We are taking advantage of the full IBM stack to deliver hybrid cloud, AI, and automation capabilities while building on our decades-long reputation as a trustworthy hybrid infrastructure for essential workloads.' 'With just 20 minutes and the help of watsonx Code Assistant for i on Power, I was able to investigate a report, trace the field logic, understand the calculation, and document the issue,' said Jasmine Kaczmarek , VP of Technology at MR Williams. 'What had taken a senior developer six hours the day before, I was able to accomplish 18 times faster. That's truly remarkable when you think about it. This kind of productivity gain is exactly what Power11 is designed for. By empowering developers to modernize core business applications faster and more confidently, AI-augmented tools built into the platform can help increase long-lasting business value.' 'We're committed to helping the people of Florida receive the quality health care they can afford,' said William Allarey, Sr. IT Manager at GuideWell. 'With the new IBM Power11 automation capabilities, we are very interested in faster and more frequent maintenance updates with no planned downtime to keep the servers secure, stable, and current, so our team can focus on delivering benefits and services for better health. In addition, the native AI capabilities and significant system performance gains of the Power11 will allow our company to leverage AI for a clearer and faster claims experience.' 'Temenos' collaboration with IBM has already proven the value of running mission-critical workloads on IBM Power,' said William Moroney , Chief Revenue Officer at Temenos. 'With the launch of Power11, that potential grows even further by bringing an AI-ready infrastructure, zero-downtime resilience, and even greater performance to the financial services industry. We look forward to our continued partnership to help clients modernize their core banking on this built for hybrid cloud platform.' IBM Power11 will be generally available July 25, 2025 . The IBM Spyre Accelerator is expected to be available in Q4 2025.
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
IBM rolls out new chips and servers, aims for simplified AI
International Business Machines on Tuesday announced a new line of data center chips and servers that it says will be more power-efficient than rivals and will simplify the process of rolling out artificial intelligence in business operations. IBM introduced its new Power11 chips on Tuesday, marking its first major update to its "Power" line of chips since 2020. These chips have traditionally vied against offerings from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices in data centers, particularly in specialized sectors such as financial services, manufacturing and healthcare. Like Nvidia's AI servers, IBM's Power systems are an integrated package of chips and software. Tom McPherson, general manager of Power systems at IBM, said the Armonk, New York-based company used that tight coupling to focus on reliability and security. The Power11 systems, available from July 25, will not need any planned downtime for software updates, and their unplanned downtime each year averages just over 30 seconds. They are also designed to detect and respond within a minute to a ransomware attack - where hackers encrypt data and then try to extract a ransom in exchange for the keys, IBM said. In the fourth quarter of this year, IBM plans to integrate Power11 with Spyre, its AI chip introduced last year. McPherson said IBM does not aim to compete with Nvidia in helping create and train AI systems, but is instead focused on simplifying AI deployment for inference, the process of putting an AI system to work in speeding up a business task. "We can integrate AI capabilities seamlessly into this for inference acceleration and help their business process improvements," McPherson said in an interview last week referring to work with early customers. "It's not going to have all the horsepower for training or anything, but it's going to have really good inferencing capabilities that are simple to integrate." (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Channel Post MEA
10 hours ago
- Channel Post MEA
NetApp Bags 2025 SE Labs Award For Enterprise Data Protection
NetApp has announced that it was recognized as a standout performer in cybersecurity in the SE LABS Awards 2025. NetApp won the 2025 SE Labs Award for Enterprise Data Protection, validating NetApp's status as the most secure storage on the planet. This recognition as a winner of a 2025 SE Labs Award is a result of NetApp's exceptional innovation in cyber resiliency to deliver NetApp ONTAP® Autonomous Ransomware Protection with Artificial Intelligence (ARP/AI), which was tested and validated by SE Labs. NetApp ARP/AI demonstrated 99 percent detection of tested, advanced full-file encryption ransomware attacks with zero false positives, indicating a strong ability to operate in a business context without contributing to alert fatigue. 'Great security doesn't just happen—it's built, tested and proven,' says Simon Edwards, Founder and CEO of SE Labs. 'Behind every high performing security product is a team committed to excellence. We believe that we should celebrate the technologies and teams pushing the boundaries in protection and resilience against cyberattacks. The standard of competition for the top place in each category has been very high this year and all of our winners are to be congratulated.' Now in its seventh year, the SE Labs Awards recognize those security vendors that deliver the very best in their field and are making a real difference in keeping systems secure. Judged based on a combination of continual public testing, private assessments, and feedback from SE Labs' corporate clients, these are the products setting the benchmarks for the rest of the cyber security industry. 'Winning the 2025 SE Labs Award for Enterprise Data Protection highlights NetApp's commitment to providing the most secure storage on the planet. With ARP/AI, NetApp is the first and only storage vendor with built-in, real-time AI-powered ransomware detection in primary storage for file workloads,' said Gagan Gulati, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Data Services at NetApp. 'Keeping data and their businesses safe is a top concern for companies everywhere, with discussions about the disruption of ransomware attacks rising all the way to the boardroom. To combat the relentless threat of targeted, automated and destructive cyberattacks, companies need an intelligent data infrastructure with built-in cyber resilience.' Since the release of ARP/AI, NetApp has continued to build and innovate its cyber resiliency solutions, announcing advanced capabilities to orchestrate protection of critical workloads in native cloud environments and the upcoming enhancements for ARP/AI to protect block storage workloads.
