LLMs, COBOL, and the realities of mainframe modernization

March 12, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Anthropic's recent blog post about Claude and COBOL highlights how AI can accelerate legacy modernization. Discovery is faster. Translation is cheaper. Systems once considered untouchable are now within reach.

But there is no silver bullet.

Mainframe modernization is not just a code problem. It is a systems problem involving risk, technical debt, integration logic, and complex operating environments.

Join us for a candid discussion on what LLMs really mean for enterprise systems. We will explore why replication comes first, how to reverse engineer decades of business logic, how to transition with minimal disruption, and how to produce deterministic results using probabilistic tools.

If you are modernizing critical systems, this session offers a grounded view of what it truly takes to move quickly, safely, and reliably.

This event has passed.

In case you missed it, watch the conversation here.

In attendance

Some friendly faces you can expect to see at this event:

    • Edward Hieatt

      COO
      I love helping companies improve their business by becoming great at software development. After my experience with startups, I was drawn to consulting, helping to grow Pivotal Labs from a handful of like-minded engineers into a respected business. As Pivotal formed and grew its developer platform product, I oversaw the rapid expansion of the Customer Success organization to thousands of technical staff globally while pioneering techniques with the subscription business model. I oversaw the integration and four subsequent years of operation as VMware Tanzu, following Pivotal’s IPO and acquisition.

    • Thomas Squeo

      CTO

      Results-oriented and outcome-driven technology executive and change agent focused on the business of software. Capable and forward-looking, I lead within agile, data-driven, and mission-oriented organizations that differentiate themselves through excellence in product innovation, solution delivery and customer centricity.

    • Arun Batchu

      Moderator

      Arun Batchu is a technology executive, researcher, analyst, advisor, and builder with over three decades of experience at the intersection of enterprise software, AI, and organizational transformation. He is Founder & Principal Advisor of netrii, a network of practitioners helping businesses apply emerging technology through research-driven strategy and hands-on practice. He is also Managing Partner of NexVisionIX, advising Fortune 500 and government clients on AI strategy, legacy modernization, and agentic solutions across healthcare, supply chain, energy, and retail.

      Previously, Arun served as VP Analyst at Gartner, advising software engineering leaders on AI, development practices, and organizational change. He was VP of Advanced Technologies at UnitedHealth Group, establishing R&D centers for applied AI, and Director of Technology at Best Buy, leading digital product and technology strategy. He holds degrees in Computer Engineering and Software Engineering, a Nanodegree in Generative AI, and has taught software architecture at the University of St. Thomas.