GoKawiilKyndryl survey: only 10% of IT leaders use agentic AI for legacy system modernization
A Kyndryl survey of 2,000 senior IT decision-makers found that just 10% are applying agentic AI to modernization efforts, even as decades-long attempts to update legacy systems continue to fall short. The survey found only about half of companies modernizing report improved IT operations, less than half see innovation gains, and nearly one in five say the benefits were limited or unclear, with many projects running late and over budget.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest that despite enthusiasm for AI, most organizations have not yet integrated agentic AI into the harder work of overhauling legacy infrastructure, which could mean the technology's promised efficiency gains remain largely theoretical for now. A former IBM strategist quoted in the coverage argues the economics of using AI to fix legacy IT don't currently add up, implying cost and complexity barriers may persist even with new tools.
- Kyndryl's survey of 2,000 IT leaders found only 10% use agentic AI for modernization.
- Roughly half of companies modernizing legacy IT report better operations, and fewer see innovation gains.
- Nearly 1 in 5 respondents say modernization delivered limited or unclear value, with many projects over budget.
Source: zdnet.com — Joe Mckendrick, 2026-10-08
Published there as: “Can AI fix legacy IT? The ‘economics don’t hold up,’ says former IBM strategist”
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