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IBM Unveils watsonx Generative AI Capabilities to Accelerate Mainframe Application Modernization

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IBM is designing this product to refactor, transform, and validate COBOL code to help speed time-to-value and augment skills for critical application modernization on IBM ZThe product will be enabled by a 20 billion parameter large language model (LLM) for code

ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced watsonx Code Assistant for Z, a new generative AI-assisted product that will help enable faster translation of COBOL to Java on IBM Z and enhances developer productivity on the platform. This product will be generally available in Q4 2023, and is being designed to help accelerate COBOL application modernization. Watsonx Code Assistant for Z will preview during TechXchange, IBM’s premier technical learning event in Las Vegas, Sept 11-13.

Watsonx Code Assistant for Z is a new addition to the watsonx Code Assistant product family, along with IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed, scheduled for release later this year. These solutions will be powered by IBM’s watsonx.ai code model, which will have knowledge of 115 coding languages1 having learned from 1.5 trillion tokens.2 At 20 billion parameters, it is on target to become one of the largest generative AI foundation models for code automation.3 The watsonx Code Assistant product portfolio will extend over time to address other programming languages, to improve time to value for modernization and address growing skills challenges for developers.

Watsonx Code Assistant for Z is being designed to assist businesses in leveraging generative AI and automated tooling to accelerate their mainframe application modernization – all with the goal of preserving the performance, security and resiliency capabilities of IBM Z.

The COBOL data processing language supports many vital business and operational processes at organizations globally. At scale, using watsonx Code Assistant for Z in comparison to other approaches could make it easier for developers to selectively and incrementally transform COBOL business services into well architected high-quality Java code – with estimated billions of lines of COBOL code as potential candidates for targeted modernization over time. Generative AI can help developers to more quickly assess, update, validate and test the right code, allowing them to more efficiently modernize large applications and focus on higher impact tasks.

IBM is designing these capabilities to provide tooling for each step of the modernization journey. The solution is expected to include IBM’s Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligence (ADDI) inventory and analysis tool. Following ADDI, key steps on the journey include refactoring business services in COBOL, transforming COBOL code to Java code with an optimized design, and validating the resulting outcome, including using automated testing capabilities. Potential benefits for clients include:

Accelerating code development and increasing developer productivity throughout the application modernization lifecycleManaging total cost, complexity, and risk of application modernization initiatives, including translation and optimization of code in-place on IBM ZExpanding access to a broader pool of IT skills and accelerating developer onboardingAchieving high quality, easy to maintain code through model customization and the application of best practices

“Our collaboration with IBM is an important element in our drive to leverage generative AI interfaces to challenge legacy approaches with material productivity gains, and reinvent our Capital Markets solutions,” said Roger Burkhardt, CTO, Capital Markets and AI, Broadridge Financial. “We have had excellent client response to our generative AI investments and we are intrigued by the opportunity to further our efforts by leveraging IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z to address a broader range of platforms.”

AI-assisted mainframe application modernization is an imperative

According to new research from the IBM Institute for Business Value, organizations are 12x more likely to leverage existing mainframe assets rather than rebuild their application estates from scratch in the next two years. At the same time, however, the study shows that the number one challenge for those same organizations is a lack of resources and skills.

“By bringing generative AI capabilities through watsonx to new use cases, we plan to drive real progress for our clients,” said Kareem Yusuf, PhD, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Growth, IBM Software. “IBM is engineering watsonx Code Assistant for Z to take a targeted and optimized approach. It’s built to rapidly and accurately convert code optimized for IBM Z, accelerate time to market and broaden the skills pool. This can help enhance applications and add new capabilities while preserving the performance, resiliency, and security inherent in IBM Z.”

There are many application modernization approaches available today. Some options include rewriting all application code in Java, or migrating everything to public cloud, which may sacrifice capabilities that are core to the IBM Z value proposition while failing to deliver on expected cost reduction. Tools that convert COBOL applications to Java syntax can produce code that is hard to maintain and can be unrecognizable to a Java developer. Generative AI is promising, but current AI-assisted partial re-write technology lacks COBOL support and doesn’t optimize the resulting Java code for the given task.

The resulting Java code from watsonx Code Assistant for Z will be object-oriented. IBM is designing this solution to be optimized to interoperate with the rest of the COBOL application, with CICS, IMS, DB2, and other z/OS runtimes. Java on Z is designed to be performance-optimized versus a compared x86 platform.4

Building on a foundation of governance and innovation

According to a 2023 Gartner® report (For Gartner Subscribers only), “by 2028, the combination of humans and AI assistants working in tandem could reduce the time to complete coding tasks by 30%.” The report further states that “the use of AI code generation tools is not replacing the quality assurance (QA) processes and security controls that are needed by developers for robust and secure product development, as well as for mitigation of inherited risks from using generative methods for code.”5

Protecting sensitive data and customer intellectual property are critical when it comes to implementing generative AI. IBM for decades has followed core principles, grounded in commitments to Trust and Transparency. With this principle-based approach, the watsonx platform aims to enable enterprises to leverage their own trusted data and IP to build tailored AI solutions that are scalable across operations.

Additionally, IBM Consulting brings deep domain expertise in IBM Z application modernization with a focus on guiding clients that leverage the platform across key industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare and government. These dedicated consultants can help clients identify the right application areas to modernize in order to optimize the potential benefits of watsonx Code Assistant for Z.  

For more information about AI-assisted mainframe application modernization, and to get started with IBM’s optimized, targeted approach, please visit our website here and join us at TechXchange. Register today for our watsonx Code Assistant for Z webinar on Sept. 21 at 11 am ET here and learn how IBM is bringing Gen AI to mainframe application modernization. You can also schedule a live demo with our team here.

IBM’s plans, directions, and intentions may change or be withdrawn at any time at IBM’s discretion without notice. Information about potential future products and improvements is provided to give a general idea of IBM’s goals and objectives and should not be used in making a purchase decision. IBM is not obligated to provide any material, code, or functionality based on this information.

5 Gartner, Emerging Tech: Generative AI Code Assistants Are Becoming Essential to Developer Experience, By Radu Miclaus, Arun Chandrasekaran, Ray Valdes, Mark Driver, Eric Goodness, Published 11 May 2023

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Media Contact:
Ashley Peterson
ashley.peterson@ibm.com 

1 List of coding languages used in the model can be found here: https://github.ibm.com/ai-models-architectures/Granite-Megatron-LM/blob/starcoder-experiments/sampling_proportions/starcoderdata-90/proportions.txt
2 Number based on proprietary internal data.
3 Previous largest was community model StarCoder at 15B https://www.marktechpost.com/2023/05/07/meet-starcoder-the-biggest-open-source-large-language-models-for-code/
4 For example, as noted during the announcement of IBM z16, using IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition 11, run Business Rules Processing with IBM Operational Decision Manager 8.11.00 on Linux on IBM z16 for up to 70% higher throughput per core     versus running the same application on a compared x86 server. DISCLAIMER: Performance results are based on the average of measurements done using IBM Operational Decision Manager (ODM) 8.11.0 with IBM Java 8.0.7.10 and IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition 11.0.15.0 on IBM z16 and on a compared x86 server. Two different configurations were tested: executing 2005 rules (from a ruleset containing 14560 rules), and executing 80 rules (from a ruleset containing 300 rules). IBM z16 configuration: Linux on IBM Z LPAR with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.5 (Ootpa) and 4 IFLs (SMT). x86 server configuration: Red Hat Enterprise Linux release 8.6 (Ootpa) and 4 SMT-2 cores (Cascade Lake Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6226R CPU @ 2.90GHz). Results may vary.

 

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B&R Technology Merger Corp. Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants, Commencing September 10, 2026

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NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — B&R Technology Merger Corp. (Nasdaq: BRTMU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing September 10, 2026, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants included in the units. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. The Class A ordinary shares and warrants that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols “BRTM” and “BRTMW,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “BRTMU.”

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About B&R Technology Merger Corp.

B&R Technology Merger Corp. is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company’s strategy allows for an initial business combination in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution, its primary focus is on technology growth businesses that has artificial intelligence (“AI”) tailwinds.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Company Contact
David York
Clark Callander
Steve Fletcher
B&R Technology Merger Corp.
info@bandrtechnology.com

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SOURCE B&R Technology Merger Corp.

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Georgia Power encourages customers to take action during National Preparedness Month

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Company highlights important safety information and resources to help customers prepare for emergencies 

ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the peak of hurricane season approaches, Georgia Power is reminding its 2.8 million customers to be prepared for emergencies. In support of National Preparedness Month, the company is once again partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency throughout September.

While the state has not yet experienced a major hurricane or tropical storm this season, National Preparedness Month encourages advance preparation for all types of potential emergencies in homes, businesses and communities. 

Georgia Power continues to invest in a stronger, more resilient electric grid that improves reliability for customers on both blue-sky days and during severe weather. Through Smart Grid technology, automation and self-healing capabilities, the company can identify outages faster, reroute power remotely and restore service more efficiently. In 2025 alone, Grid Investment Program projects improved reliability for more than 535,000 customers and, together with self-healing technology, prevented 108 million customer outage minutes while playing a critical role during hurricane season.

Georgia Power encourages all customers to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes and families before disasters strike, including:

Build an emergency kit – Gather enough supplies to sustain everyone in your household for several days, including food, water, medications, and other essentials. Be sure to consider the unique needs of each family member and pet, especially if an evacuation becomes necessary. It’s also a good idea to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit with essential items so you can evacuate quickly if needed. Have an emergency plan – Develop an emergency plan and discuss it with your family and close friends before an emergency. Establish how you will communicate, where you will meet and what steps you will take if you need to evacuate or shelter in place. Planning ahead can help reduce stress, save valuable time and minimize costs during an emergency. Understand your risks – Understand your risks by learning about the hazards and emergencies most likely to affect your area. Knowing what could happen where you live, work and travel can help you make informed decisions and take the right steps to protect yourself, your family and your property. Visit the company’s Storm Center page for more information on preparing your home, building an emergency kit, and knowing your risks. 

Staying informed during emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms is critical, and Georgia Power offers the following resources to help customers stay connected and informed: 

Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to the free Georgia Power Outage Alerts service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information. Outage & Storm Center – Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to ensure their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938. Outage Map – Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power’s interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times. The map is updated regularly from teams in the field. Georgia Power Mobile App – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go. Social Media – Follow Georgia Power on FacebookInstagram and X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more. 

Safety Tips for Customers and Crews 

Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. If you must be on the roads, please move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road; it’s Georgia law. Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire. If going out, watch for and avoid down wires. They can be deadly. Never pull tree limbs off power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees, as downed power lines may be concealed. Customers should call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line. Take care if using a portable generator. Follow all manufacturer instructions, avoid using generators in enclosed spaces and be mindful of electrical safety. Visit our website for more generator safety tips

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power). 

 www.georgiapower.com

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SOURCE Georgia Power

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Nelnet Accessibility Services Now on Civic Marketplace

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State and local agencies can now access Nelnet’s accessibility assessment, remediation, and compliance services through a cooperative contract that requires no new request for proposal (RFP) ahead of approaching Department of Justice (DOJ) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II compliance deadlines.

LINCOLN, Neb., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nelnet Government Services today announced that its cooperative purchasing contract, awarded through the Alliance for Innovation (AFI), is now accessible through Civic Marketplace. By listing on Civic Marketplace, Nelnet gives local governments, public schools, and other public agencies nationwide a streamlined way to discover and procure its ADA Web Accessibility Consulting and ADA Web Accessibility Consulting and Design services.

As an awarded supplier through the AFI cooperative program, Nelnet’s services have already been competitively solicited and awarded in accordance with public procurement requirements. Through Civic Marketplace, eligible public agencies can access Nelnet’s services and pre-negotiated cooperative pricing without conducting a separate RFP, providing a faster path from accessibility need to implementation.

What Agencies Can Access

Accessibility Assessments: Expert-led audits of websites, applications, and documents that surface Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 barriers and produce a clear compliance roadmap.Remediation Services: Hands-on repair of websites, mobile apps, documents, and video so digital content works for people using assistive technology.Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) and Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) Reporting, Training & Ongoing Support: Standards-based compliance documentation, staff training, and Accessibility Team as a Service (ATaaS) for continuous governance as content changes.

“Every resident deserves digital services that work for them, and every agency deserves a partner who can help them get there without adding a lengthy procurement process,” said Marc Thorson, Lead Accessibility Architect at Nelnet. “Making our accessibility team available through Civic Marketplace means agencies can start real compliance work now, well ahead of the deadlines bearing down on them.”

Why This Matters

Under the Department of Justice’s ADA Title II rule, state and local government websites, apps, and digital content must meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. The DOJ recently extended the compliance deadlines, giving larger public entities until April 26, 2027, and smaller public entities and special districts until April 26, 2028. But auditing, remediating, and retraining staff across years of legacy content takes longer than many agencies expect, and the deadline marks when compliance is required, not when the work should start.

Most agencies don’t need a seven-figure platform overhaul to get there. Many compliance gaps close for a fraction of that cost through focused assessment and remediation work, without the year a standalone RFP process usually consumes.

“Digital accessibility is a growing operational priority for local governments, and many agencies need specialized expertise to address it effectively,” said Michael Wilkes, President and CEO of the Alliance for Innovation. “Bringing Nelnet into our cooperative portfolio gives public agencies access to proven capabilities in an area that is becoming increasingly important to how governments operate and serve their communities.”

Nelnet has already put that model to work in state and local government: its accessibility team embedded with Colorado’s Office of Information Technology to bring the myColorado app, used by more than 1 million residents for driver’s licenses, DMV services, and benefit application, into WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.

Access This Contract Now on Civic Marketplace

Nelnet’s digital accessibility services are available now through Civic Marketplace. To explore the contract and begin procurement, view the Nelnet contract listing on Civic Marketplace, or contact Nelnet at AccessibilityWorkRequest@nelnet.net.

About Nelnet Government Services

Nelnet Government Services (NYSE: NNI) helps public sector organizations achieve and maintain digital accessibility compliance while creating more inclusive experiences for the people they serve. Our U.S.-based accessibility team partners with agencies to assess, remediate, monitor, and govern digital content, websites, applications, and documents. Through accessibility assessments, remediation services, training, reporting, and ongoing compliance support, we help agencies build sustainable accessibility programs that reduce risk, increase access, and improve service delivery. See Nelnet’s digital accessibility services at Nelnet.com.

About Alliance for Innovation

AFI is a nonprofit association of governments dedicated to fostering innovation and excellence in local government. AFI assists local governments in implementing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, service delivery, and community impact. The organization emphasizes strategic thinking, emerging technologies, and best practices to equip public agencies with the knowledge and support to address evolving challenges.

AFI offers various programs, including innovation academies, workshops, and a comprehensive knowledge network that allows local governments to share success stories and lessons learned. It hosts annual conferences and webinars that unite municipal leaders, industry experts, and academic researchers to explore trends in governance, sustainability, civic engagement, and operational improvements. By promoting a culture of innovation, AFI empowers local governments to be more adaptive, resilient, and responsive to the needs of their communities, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens nationwide.

About Civic Marketplace

Civic Marketplace is the AI procurement platform built for local governments and free for every SLED entity to use. By removing cost as a barrier, we make it easier for cities, counties, and school districts to modernize how they buy goods and services without adding strain to already tight budgets.

Our platform connects government buyers to a network of pre-approved suppliers, ensuring every contract meets compliance and quality standards from the start. We’re especially committed to expanding access for historically underutilized businesses, helping local governments support regional suppliers and strengthen the communities they serve.

Procurement doesn’t have to be slow, complicated, or expensive. Civic Marketplace is backed by venture investment and built to prove it. Learn more at civicmarketplace.com.

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SOURCE Nelnet Government Services

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