LLMs, COBOL, and the realities of mainframe modernization

March 12, 2026



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, Mechanical Orchard
      Mechanical Orchard
      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, Americas, Thoughtworks
      thoughtworks_black-1

      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
      Mechanical Orchard

      Arun Batchu is the Founder and Principal Advisor at Netrii, an idea and business incubator, and co-founder and director of StoneArch AI, a collective of AI practitioners focused on delivering business value. Additionally, Arun serves as an AI instructor at the University of Minnesota’s Technology Leadership Institute helping upskill Minnesota’s workforce in applied AI skills.

      Formerly a VP Analyst at Gartner, he spent years analyzing trends in modernization and AI.
      Leveraging deep technical expertise in mainframe systems—including COBOL, CICS, JCL, and IMS/DB2—Arun offers a practitioner's perspective on legacy modernization. A recognized industry analyst and frequent moderator on AI and mainframe transformation, he actively evaluates emerging innovators, notably contributing to Gartner’s 2025 “Cool Vendor” nominations.