Global IT infrastructure services company Kyndryl has announced its new Agentic AI Framework and AI-powered Mainframe Services, designed specifically for organizations running mission-critical workloads on IBM Z systems. The company says this new framework will significantly modernize how enterprises monitor, manage, and optimize mainframe environments by combining automation, intelligent decision-making, and real-time operational insights.
This launch marks one of the most important steps in the modernization of mainframe systems, a technology backbone that still powers banks, payment systems, insurance companies, stock exchanges, telecom operators, and government agencies worldwide.
A Big Upgrade for IBM Z Customers
Kyndryl’s new Agentic AI Framework is built to integrate seamlessly with IBM Z ecosystems. It supports both traditional mainframe operations and hybrid cloud environments. The framework works in combination with tools such as:
- Kyndryl Bridge
- IBM watsonx Assistant for Z
- IBM Z AI-powered optimization tools
These integrations allow enterprises to introduce AI-driven automation without rewriting legacy code or altering their existing mission-critical workloads.
Kyndryl says its AI agents can analyze logs, detect anomalies, resolve incidents, optimize resource usage, and communicate insights to IT teams — all in real time.
What is Agentic AI and How Does it Work?
Unlike traditional AI or chatbots, Agentic AI involves intelligent digital agents that can independently perform tasks, make decisions, and execute workflows.
In simple terms:
These are digital operators capable of taking action — not just giving suggestions.
How it works in mainframe systems:
- System detects early signs of an issue
- AI agent automatically reads system logs and performance metrics
- It identifies the root cause of the issue
- It suggests the best resolution — or applies an automated fix
- It generates a full audit report for the human team
This reduces downtime, improves system reliability, and ensures quicker recovery from failures — something extremely important for banks and high-volume transaction systems.
Why Mainframes Need AI Now
Mainframes continue to hold massive transactional loads. Banks alone process billions of transactions daily on IBM Z. But modern challenges such as high customer traffic, digital payments, cybersecurity threats, real-time data expectations, and 24×7 operations demand an upgraded approach.
Key challenges Kyndryl aims to solve:
- Shortage of mainframe-AI skilled professionals
- Increasing complexity of hybrid cloud environments
- Rising cybersecurity and monitoring needs
- Pressure to reduce operational costs
- Need for faster response during system failures
Kyndryl says Agentic AI can automate up to 60–70% of repetitive operational tasks, helping organizations reduce costs and improve productivity.
Kyndryl on the Shift Toward AI-Enabled Mainframes
Kyndryl revealed that global enterprises are now actively planning to integrate AI into their core mainframe operations. According to industry surveys cited by the company:
- Almost all major enterprises plan to combine mainframe + AI capabilities in the next three years
- Most organizations lack the skill sets needed to modernize their mainframes
- AI adoption is becoming necessary for security, efficiency, and regulatory compliance
The company believes that improving mainframe operations through AI will help enterprises save billions of dollars and unlock new business capabilities.
Key Features of Kyndryl’s Agentic AI Framework
1. Real-Time Performance Optimization
AI agents constantly monitor CPU usage, memory consumption, workload distribution, and batch processing performance.
They automatically adjust resources to maintain stability.
2. Automated Incident Detection and Resolution
The framework uses machine learning to detect abnormal behavior early.
It then applies auto-diagnosis and automated fixes or escalates the issue with full evidence.
3. Predictive Analytics
The system predicts upcoming failures or performance bottlenecks before they occur.
This allows organizations to prevent outages instead of reacting to them.
4. End-to-End Observability
IT teams gain a unified, AI-generated dashboard covering all mainframe operations, alerts, risks, and system health.
5. Seamless Modernization
Enterprises can modernize their workflows using AI without rewriting legacy applications — a major advantage for old mainframe-based systems.
Benefits for Enterprises
Kyndryl outlines several major benefits for customers adopting this framework:
✔ Faster Incident Response
Instead of waiting for manual log analysis or human troubleshooting, AI agents act instantly.
✔ Lower Operational Costs
Automation reduces manpower dependency and minimizes downtime-related losses.
✔ Higher System Stability
Continuous monitoring ensures that performance stays optimized even during peak loads.
✔ Enhanced Security
AI-powered anomaly detection strengthens cybersecurity defenses on mainframe systems.
✔ Better Decision-Making
AI insights provide IT teams with comprehensive visibility and actionable recommendations.
Why This Matters for India
India is one of the world’s largest users of IBM Z mainframes — particularly in:
- Banking
- Insurance
- Stock exchanges
- Telecom
- Government digital services
With millions of digital transactions occurring every minute, Indian enterprises face increasing pressure for speed, accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance.
Kyndryl’s AI solution can help Indian organizations:
- Improve fraud detection
- Speed up high-volume batch jobs
- Enhance digital banking performance
- Meet RBI audit and data-security requirements
- Reduce downtime during peak digital payment cycles
As India pushes toward a more digital economy, AI-enabled mainframes could significantly improve infrastructure reliability.
Company Background: About Kyndryl
Kyndryl, formed after its separation from IBM, is the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider.
The company operates in more than 60 countries and serves thousands of large enterprises across industries.
Its major focus areas include:
- Cloud & AI
- Cybersecurity
- Network modernization
- Data & application services
- Mainframe operations and automation
With this new Agentic AI Framework, Kyndryl aims to strengthen its leadership in large-scale enterprise infrastructure modernization.
Outcome
Kyndryl’s launch of the Agentic AI Framework marks a major milestone for the future of mainframe operations.
For industries that depend on IBM Z for processing huge volumes of financial and business transactions, this solution offers:
- Improved operational efficiency
- Stronger security
- Higher reliability
- And a clear path toward modernization
As demand for automation and real-time decision-making grows, AI-enabled mainframe operations could redefine how large enterprises manage their mission-critical systems. Over the next few years, adoption of such frameworks is expected to accelerate, especially in banking, insurance, and government sectors.
Source: Kyndryl News
