The 2025 edition of the Db2 for z/OS Data Tech Summit was featured as a dedicated track within the IBM TechXchange conference, held October 6–9 at the Orange County Convention Center and Hilton in vibrant Orlando, Florida. As a premier learning hub for developers and technologists, TechXchange kicked off with a well-received keynote featuring a live demo of Project Bob and a compelling conversation between IBM Senior VP Dinesh Nirmal and Anthropic founder Dario Amodei.
On IBM Community Day, I had the opportunity to volunteer and connect with a diverse group of attendees—from local user group leaders and business partners to university students self-learning IBM zSystem software. Many were eager to explore IBM’s enterprise AI offerings. Later, at the IBM Champion booth, I met passionate IBM customers from around the globe, each advocating for different IBM technologies.
The Expo Center buzzed with excitement around innovations like the z17 with Spyre card, LinuxONE, Power11, Quantum chips, and even a striking red Ferrari proudly displaying the IBM logo. Attendees flocked to technical sessions and hands-on demos showcasing the latest IBM technologies.
The Data Tech Summit (DTS) track featured 35 technical sessions, drawing over 1,100 attendees. Topics spanned core Db2 functionalities, performance tuning, IDAA, AI integration, and hands-on labs. Many participants had attended recent years’ DTS editions, which were hosted at the IBM Silicon Valley Lab (SVL), the home of Db2 for z/OS development. Some customer participants even contributed as speakers. Sessions were highly interactive, with customers sharing insights, asking questions, and exchanging best practices—highlighting the enduring trust placed in Db2 for managing sensitive enterprise data.
Several customers expressed a preference for the SVL-hosted DTS, citing closer interaction with more Db2 for z/OS developers. However, some also appreciated the broader scope of TechXchange, which offered exposure to a wide array of IBM technologies. Positioned at the core of the IBM zSystem data management strategy, Db2 for z/OS—alongside AI solutions like Db2zAI, SQLDI, and Agentic AI—proved its relevance and innovation. The summit reaffirmed that where enterprises store their data matters, and Db2 for z/OS continues to evolve to meet AI-driven business needs.