IBM Announces z/OS 3.2 With AI Integration for Mainframe Hybrid Cloud

July 22, 2025

Details

  • IBM has introduced z/OS 3.2, its next-generation mainframe operating system, set for general availability on September 30, 2025, and architected to enhance AI capabilities on IBM z17 systems.
  • The update incorporates support for the Telum II processor and Spyre AI accelerator, enabling AI inferencing directly on the platform to minimize data transfer and strengthen data privacy for sensitive workloads.
  • New REST APIs and expanded Python functionality for EzNoSQL databases streamline data access, allowing hybrid cloud applications to tap into z/OS resources without extensive ETL processes.
  • Security features are bolstered with NIST-approved quantum-safe cryptography and new RACF quarantine measures, while the AI-powered Workload Manager proactively predicts and responds to demand changes.
  • Modernization of the Storage Management Subsystem (SMS) using z/OSMF plugins simplifies administrative tasks and enhances usability for upcoming mainframe professionals.

Impact

z/OS 3.2 strengthens IBM's position in regulated industries by enabling organizations to run AI workloads securely on sensitive transactional data. Its integration of quantum-resistant encryption and hybrid cloud tools ensures IBM mainframes remain central to enterprise IT strategies amid technological and security shifts. This strategic release reaffirms mainframe relevance as competitors focus increasingly on cloud-native platforms.

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