IBM z17: The First Mainframe Fully Engineered for the AI Age

Core Insights - IBM z17 is designed to redefine AI at scale, enabling enterprises to process 100% of their transactions in real-time and handle 50% more AI inference operations per day compared to its predecessor, z16 [1][12] - The system supports over 250 AI use cases across various industries, enhancing business value through applications like loan risk mitigation and medical image analysis [1][2] Product Development - The IBM z17 is the result of five years of design and development, with over 300 patent applications filed and input from more than 100 clients [2] - It introduces multi-model AI capabilities, enhanced security features, and tools for improved system usability and management [2][3] AI Integration - The z17 integrates AI into the core of enterprise operations, providing the necessary software, processing power, and storage to operationalize AI quickly [3] - It features a second-generation on-chip AI accelerator, capable of performing over 450 billion inferencing operations daily with a response time of one millisecond [4][12] Future Enhancements - The IBM Spyre™ Accelerator, expected in Q4 2025, will further enhance AI compute capabilities, particularly for generative AI applications [4][6] - z/OS 3.2, the next version of IBM's operating system, will support hardware-accelerated AI capabilities and modern data access methods, set to release in Q3 2025 [5] Operational Efficiency - IBM Z Operations Unite will streamline operations by consolidating performance metrics and logs, enhancing anomaly detection and incident resolution [5] - The integration of AI assistants and agents aims to improve developer and IT operations efficiency [4][6] Security Features - IBM z17 enhances security and resiliency, incorporating AI-driven processes for incident remediation and case resolution [7][11] - New capabilities for discovering and classifying sensitive data will utilize natural language processing to protect mission-critical data [11] Storage Solutions - The 10th Generation IBM Storage DS8000 is designed to work seamlessly with IBM z17, providing optimized data performance and modular architecture for business growth [8] Availability - IBM z17 is set to be generally available on June 18, 2025, with the IBM Spyre™ Accelerator expected in Q4 2025 [9]