Dusty brings the weight of experience. He’s been part of the mainframe community for over 47 years and has seen it evolve and adapt. He smiled when we talked about finally being able to call it IBM z17 instead of zNext. Though he still has a soft spot for “zNext”—a name that always implied we were building toward something greater. And it’s true: no other system can match the longevity and relevance of IBM Z.
Mainframes have always been the quiet force behind the global economy. From banks and retailers to governments and healthcare systems, IBM Z handles nearly 70% of the world’s transactions—with unmatched security, resilience, and scale. But with IBM z17, we’re doing more than continuing that legacy—we’re extending it. This system is built to lead us into a bold new era.
That sentiment brings back an old phrase: “The mainframe is dead.” It’s funny, because every time someone counts this platform out, it comes back stronger than ever. Today’s announcement continues that tradition—reaffirming IBM’s commitment to leadership in the computing ecosystem. And with this launch, there’s something new on the horizon that has us both excited: AI.
Designed for the AI-Driven Future
One of the most exciting things about IBM z17 is how it’s engineered for both the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. We’re not just talking about speed—we’re talking about a shift toward intelligent, real-time enterprise computing.
At the heart of it all is the IBM Telum® II processor, built with 5nm technology and packed with enhancements that bring AI acceleration directly to enterprise data. It’s fast, powerful, and purpose-built for modern workloads.
But what takes this to another level is the new IBM Spyre™ Accelerator. Together with Telum II, it enables clients to scale AI inferencing like never before—securely, efficiently, and across a wide variety of use cases. This duo forms a flexible, powerful AI foundation that allows organizations to process more data, run more models, and make smarter, faster decisions right when it matters most.
It’s hard to imagine a better place to run AI inferencing than on the most powerful and scalable system out there. Telum II lives right on the platform, backed by a massive processing grid, and Spyre offers power and flexibility that’s simply unmatched. This isn’t the AI machine of the future. It’s the AI machine of today. Sure, you can develop and train models on other platforms—but you want to run them on IBM z17.
Real Innovation, Real Impact
What really energizes me is how all this technology applies to the real world. We’re not just building faster systems—we’re enabling smarter, more effective solutions in industries that billions of people rely on every day. One great example is fraud detection. With threats growing more sophisticated, organizations need solutions that are just as advanced. Using ensemble AI methods—which combine the precision of neural networks with the context of large language models—companies can now detect suspicious activity faster and with greater accuracy.
IBM z17 supports these complex models at scale, all without sacrificing the security or performance our clients count on. This is exactly the kind of challenge that work that energizes me: using cutting-edge tech to make a real difference.
That’s where modernization comes into play. It’s something Dusty has been deeply focused on. And he always says it: the mainframe is the most modern system on the planet. But modernization starts with awareness—understanding what you actually have in your environment. Code discovery, optimization, improvement—these are essential steps. And with z17, Telum II, and Spyre, organizations can do all of that on the system using IBM Watsonx Code Assistant for z. It’s built for innovation, built for scale, and built for the future.
A Personal First, and a Collective Future
For me, being part of the IBM z17 launch is more than just a professional milestone—it’s personal. I’m stepping into a legacy that’s been built by people who value resilience, trust, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. IBM Z has always stood for performance and dependability. But now, it also stands for transformation, for growth, and for the future of enterprise computing.
Here’s to what’s next. To the platform that powers progress. And to all of us—veterans and newcomers alike—coming together to shape what’s ahead.
Dusty has a real passion for the next generation too. Through the zUniversity program, he’s been connecting with students across the country. At one university, over 150 students showed up for a Z career fair. At another, more than 120. And every time, we hear the same thing: “I didn’t know the mainframe could do that!” It’s eye-opening.
Business leaders even come along to talk about their real-world environments—and sometimes collect resumes. It’s moments like these that ignite curiosity and inspire the future workforce.
That inspiration goes both ways. For Dusty, this is another exciting chapter in a long legacy of mainframe innovation. For me, it’s the beginning of something incredible. I bring a fresh perspective and a contagious sense of excitement, while he brings deep experience and a steady commitment to the platform’s continued success.
Together, we’re both looking at the same future—and we’re both saying it loud:
The Mainframe Rocks.
