Riyadh : IBM announced the launch of the IBM z17 , the latest generation of mainframe computers specifically designed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI), software, and systems operations. The new system is powered by IBM 's Telum® II processor, expanding the platform's capabilities beyond traditional transactions to meet the demands of modern workloads, enhancing efficiency and productivity in a secure and reliable AI-powered environment .

The IBM z17 platform aims to redefine AI on a large scale, enabling organizations to analyze all their transactions in real time. It empowers businesses to drive innovation through its ability to improve AI prediction accuracy by more than 50% daily compared to the previous version , z16 . The platform supports more than 250 use cases, including medical image analysis, intelligent conversational services, fraud detection, loan risk assessment, and more .

The development of the IBM z17 followed five years of design and research, during which more than 300 U.S. patent applications were filed. The system was developed in direct collaboration with more than 100 customers, with close involvement from IBM Research and IBM Software teams, to deliver advanced capabilities including multi-model artificial intelligence, new security features, and intelligent solutions to enhance system management efficiency .

The system is based on an AI accelerator built into the second-generation Telum® II processor, which delivers superior performance, processing over 450 billion inferences per day with a response time of less than one millisecond. The company also announced a new additional processor, the Spyre™ Accelerator, expected to be released in the fourth quarter of the year, to enhance generative AI capabilities and virtual agents directly on the platform .

IBM z17 delivers an enhanced user experience with technologies like Watsonx Code Assistant for Z and Watsonx Assistant for Z , which are integrated for the first time with Z Operations Unite , enhancing real-time error detection and response through AI-powered interactions using live system data .

In this context, Fahad Al-Enazi, General Manager of IBM Saudi Arabia, said: “The launch of the z17 platform represents a new step towards the future, as we integrate artificial intelligence technologies into the core of enterprise computing architecture. This innovation not only enhances organizations’ efficiency, but also enables them to securely and intelligently interact with their vital data within a hybrid, flexible, and reliable environment. At IBM, we are committed to empowering our customers in the Kingdom with the latest technologies that support their digital ambitions and contribute to building a digital infrastructure capable of keeping pace with the requirements of growth and expansion .”

The company unveiled z/OS 3.2 , scheduled for release in the third quarter of the year, designed to support hardware-accelerated AI capabilities and intelligent system analytics, while enabling access to modern databases such as NoSQL and data processing across hybrid cloud computing environments .

The new system offers extensive support for open source software, along with unified management tools and the IBM Z Operations Unite platform, which enables performance tracking and log analysis from multiple sources using the OpenTelemetry format, helping to make troubleshooting and response more efficient. Integration with the IBM Concert platform also enables intelligent analytics across enterprise operations .

On the cybersecurity front, the IBM z17 supports advanced protection tools, including IBM Vault from HashiCorp, an IBM company, for managing secrets and sensitive data across hybrid computing environments. It also adds capabilities for discovering and classifying sensitive data using natural language processing techniques, along with IBM Threat Detection for z/OS, designed to detect various patterns and counter cyber threats .

IBM enhances its customer support system with Technology Lifecycle Services , which contribute to increased performance and reduced risk in critical environments, using intelligent technologies built on the Watsonx platform. The tenth generation of IBM Storage DS8000 also provides an integrated storage architecture that enables fast and secure access to data .

The IBM z17 platform will be available globally starting June 18, 2025, while the Spyre™ Accelerator is scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of the year. This launch underscores IBM's commitment to providing intelligent and secure infrastructure that supports the needs of modern digital enterprises and contributes to enabling AI-driven digital transformation at scale .

About IBM

IBM is a global leader in hybrid cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, and consulting services. The company helps customers in more than 175 countries leverage data efficiently, improve operations, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness. IBM delivers advanced solutions in quantum computing and AI, underpinned by a commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, and inclusion . Learn more at www.ibm.com .

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