IBM has unveiled its latest mainframe, the z17, designed to integrate AI into traditional mainframe capabilities. Powered by the Telum II processor, the z17 can handle over 450 billion AI inference operations daily, offering a 50% performance boost over its predecessor. It supports generative AI workloads, features enhanced energy efficiency, and includes tools like IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z to modernize legacy applications. The system is built to adapt to evolving AI models and is set to be generally available on June 8, 2025.