Kyndryl Survey: Mainframe modernization now delivers 2–3X ROI, unlocking AI-driven business value

Bengaluru, September 10, 2025 — Far from being a legacy relic, the mainframe is emerging as a catalyst for AI-powered hybrid IT strategies, according to Kyndryl’s third annual State of Mainframe Modernization Survey. The study underscores how enterprises are rethinking modernization, cutting costs, and generating stronger returns than ever before.

The survey of 500 global business and IT leaders reveals that modernization projects are now delivering between 288% and 362% ROI, depending on whether organizations modernize directly on the mainframe, integrate it with cloud, or move workloads to other platforms. This comes as 80% of enterprises have shifted their modernization strategies in just the past year in response to regulatory shifts, geopolitical pressures, and the rapid adoption of AI.

AI has emerged as the new growth engine for mainframe strategy. Nearly 90% of respondents say they have already implemented or are planning to implement generative AI on the mainframe. Collectively ...