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IBM Launches watsonx Code Assistant, Delivers Generative AI-powered Code Generation Capabilities Built for Enterprise Application Modernization

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Watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed and watsonx Code Assistant for Z are now available

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today IBM (NYSE: IBM) launched watsonx Code Assistant, a generative AI-powered assistant that helps enterprise developers and IT operators code more quickly and more accurately using natural language prompts. The product currently delivers on two specific enterprise use cases. First, IT Automation with watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed, for tasks such as network configuration and code deployment. Second, mainframe application modernization with watsonx Code Assistant for Z, for translation of COBOL to Java on IBM Z.1

Designed to accelerate development while maintaining the principles of trust, security, and compliance, the product leverages generative AI based on IBM’s Granite foundation models for code running on IBM’s watsonx platform. Granite uses the decoder architecture, which underpins large language model capabilities to predict what is next in a sequence to support natural language processing tasks. IBM is exploring opportunities to tune watsonx Code Assistant with additional domain-specific generative AI capabilities to assist in code generation, code explanation, and the full end-to-end software development lifecycle to continue to drive enterprise application modernization.

According to a recent IDC report, “Because it relies on a model trained on curated data, watsonx Code Assistant can help enterprises improve code quality by propagating best practices through code recommendations, instead of polluting enterprise code bases with code generated by models trained on unvetted repositories.”2 

“With this launch, watsonx Code Assistant joins watsonx Orchestrate and watsonx Assistant in IBM’s growing line of watsonx assistants that provide enterprises with tangible ways to implement generative AI,” said Kareem Yusuf, Ph.D, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Growth, IBM Software. “Watsonx Code Assistant puts AI-assisted code development and application modernization tools directly into the hands of developers – in a naturally integrated way that is designed to be non-disruptive – to help address skills gaps and increase productivity.”

Additionally, IBM Consulting brings deep domain expertise across these use cases working closely with clients across industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare and government, to build strategies to allow them to take advantage of the potential of generative AI and code generation to accelerate modernization.

IT Automation – IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed

The Ansible Automation Platform helps enterprise developers and IT operators implement automation, using Ansible Playbooks, for IT tasks including infrastructure management, hybrid cloud deployment, network configuration, application deployment and more. With IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed, platform users can input plain English prompts to automatically generate task recommendations for Ansible Playbooks that adhere to best practices in task creation and maintenance. This way, a greater number of team members can create Ansible Playbooks more efficiently and implement automation engineered to be more resilient and easier to support without in-depth training.

Technical Preview Key Data:

Approximately 4,000 developers participated in the technical preview.85% overall average acceptance rate of the AI-generated content recommendations. (from July 27Oct 23, 2023, based on over 41,000 recommendations)Productivity improvements in the range of 20-45%.

“Red Hat has already shown what domain-specific AI can do for IT automation at the community level,” said Ashesh Badani, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Red Hat. “The release of watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed has the potential to close skills gaps, create greater organizational efficiencies and free enterprise IT to deliver even more business value.”

The Hybrid Cloud Platforms team within the IBM CIO Office uses Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform to support a wide range of tasks within their IT environment whether it’s patching, resolving vulnerabilities, or running regular health checks of their systems. Bob Epstein, Leader of IBM CIO Hybrid Cloud Platforms, expects that the number of developers able to produce Ansible Playbooks with the full release version could increase as much as 10x as watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed empowers other team members such as Site Reliability Engineers who can use natural language to generate Ansible-specific automation tasks.

“I like to look at our modernization journey in these stages: In the past we were crawling, doing a lot of things manually. Then, when we started automating, we were walking. Once we implemented Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, we were running. And as we look ahead, with watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed, I think we will be able to fly,” said Robert Barron, Architect, Hybrid Cloud Platforms, IBM CIO Office.

Mainframe Application Modernization – IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z

IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z helps enable faster translation of COBOL to Java on IBM Z and enhances developer productivity on the platform. It is being designed to assist businesses in leveraging generative AI and automated tooling to accelerate their mainframe application modernization – while allowing clients to take advantage of the performance, security and resiliency capabilities of IBM Z.

Today, the product follows the application modernization lifecycle, starting with an application discovery capability, which maps out a technical understanding of the application and its dependencies. Then, an automated refactoring capability leverages the information captured in application discovery to identify selected elements to decompose the monolithic application into modular COBOL business services. Finally, watsonx Code Assistant for Z leverages generative AI to transform individual COBOL business services into object-oriented Java code. The next step in the lifecycle is validation testing. Anticipated in a future release, the product will support automated test case generation to validate the new COBOL or Java services.

TCS and IBM hold a long-term partnership that fosters a collaborative ecosystem to develop joint successes for their customers and stakeholders. Leveraging this partnership and the deep contextual knowledge, TCS has grown a purpose-led, dedicated, full-service practice for in-place application modernization.

“There is a significant need for the developer productivity gains that generative AI can bring to transform applications on the mainframe,” said Keshav Varma, ISU Head, Technology, Software and Services Business Unit, TCS. “While watsonx Code Assistant for Z has only just become available, we have several clients that have already requested that we create proofs of concept for them. With decades of enterprise experience from both our companies, we look forward to building on our deep partnership with IBM using watsonx.”

IBM Consulting Brings Expertise to Help Clients with IT Automation and Modernization

Early IBM Consulting engagements for both watsonx Code Assistant for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed and watsonx Code Assistant for Z aim to provide clients with the ability to deliver continuous automation, Ansible Playbook productivity, quality improvements, and transformation of IT operations – in addition to helping them identify the right application areas to modernize with Z.

For those looking for more personalized use cases with watsonx Code Assistant, IBM Consulting and IBM Client Engineering can work side-by-side with clients to identify specific pain points and solve critical business and technical challenges from the users’ perspective. IBM Consulting brings deep industry expertise in application modernization, IT automation and generative AI via dedicated Red Hat and watsonx practices that work closely with IBM Research, IBM Technology and Red Hat.

Statements regarding IBM’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only. 

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 products and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Media contact:
Rebecca Neufeld
rebecca.neufeld@ibm.com

1 IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z includes an on-prem and as a service component. When the components are purchased together, watsonx Code
Assistant for Z includes the referenced generative AI capabilities.

2 IDC Market Note, IBM’s watsonx Offers Generative AI for EnterpriseDevelopment and DevOps, IDC #US51203823, September 8, 2023

 

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLOcdyFZN0k 

SOURCE IBM

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SK hynix Begins Mass Production of 192GB SOCAMM2 ‘Setting a New Standard for AI Server Memory Performance’

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–     Mass production of 192GB high capacity products designed for the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform
–     Maximizes power efficiency by featuring high density DRAM based on the latest 1cnm process
–     Company to closely collaborate with NVIDIA to solve bottlenecks in AI infrastructure and provide optimal performance

SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SK hynix Inc. (or “the company”, www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has begun mass production of the 192GB SOCAMM2, a next-generation memory module standard based on the 1cnm process (sixth-generation of the 10-nanometer technology) LPDDR5X low-power DRAM.

SOCAMM2[1] is a module that adapts low-power memory – which was previously used mainly in mobile products like smartphones – for server environments. It is designed to be a primary memory solution for next-generation AI servers.

[1]SOCAMM2 (Small Outline Compression Attached Memory Module 2): An AI server–optimized memory module based on LPDDR. It offers a slim form factor and high scalability, while its compression connector enhances signal integrity and allows for easy module replacement

SK hynix emphasized that the 1cnm based SOCAMM2 product that is now in mass production delivers more than double the bandwidth with over 75% improved power efficiency compared to conventional RDIMM[2], providing an optimized solution for high performance AI operations.

[2]RDIMM (Registered Dual In-Line Memory Module): DRAM module for server/workstation that includes a register or buffer chip to relay address and command signals between the memory controller and DRAM chip in a memory module

In particular, the company noted that its SOCAMM2 products are designed for NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform.

SK hynix expects the new SOCAMM2 product will fundamentally resolve the memory bottlenecks encountered during the training and inference of large language model (LLM) with hundreds of billions of parameters, thereby playing a pivotal role in dramatically accelerating the processing speed of the overall system.

The company stated that with the AI market shifting focus from inference to training, SOCAMM2 is gaining significant attention as a next-generation memory solution capable of operating LLMs with low power consumption. To meet the demands of its global Cloud Service Provider (CSP) customers, SK hynix has not only been providing a supply portfolio, but also stabilized its mass production system early on.

“By supplying the 192GB SOCAMM2, SK hynix has established a new standard for AI memory performance,” Justin Kim, President & Head of AI Infra (CMO, Chief Marketing Officer) at SK hynix said. “We will solidify our position as the most trusted AI memory solution provider, through close collaboration with our global AI customers.”

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”) and flash memory chips (“NAND flash”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sk-hynix-begins-mass-production-of-192gb-socamm2–setting-a-new-standard-for-ai-server-memory-performance-302746711.html

SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

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EBANX announces expansion into four Southeast Asian countries and Turkey, unlocking a USD 610 billion digital market

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Following the inauguration of its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore, EBANX brings its payments infrastructure to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Turkey, opening access to more than 380 million consumers for global merchants

SINGAPORE, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EBANX, a global technology company specializing in cross-border payment services for emerging markets, today announced it will begin operating in five new countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Turkey. With this expansion, EBANX will have integrated payment methods across seven economies in Asia, including India and the Philippines. Combined, they represent a USD 610 billion opportunity in digital commerce and more than 1.1 billion consumers, according to data from Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) and World Data Lab (WDL) analyzed by EBANX. The five new markets alone account for 57% of that volume and 386 million of those consumers — whose spending is projected to grow 97% over the next decade, faster than regions like Europe, the US, and Canada, per WDL data featured in EBANX’s Beyond Borders 2026 study.

EBANX’s announcement follows a series of milestones in the region: the inauguration of its Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore, a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the appointment of Eduardo de Abreu as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and regional CEO of EBANX Singapore.

“Asia is where the world’s fastest-growing consumer base is, and also where some of the most ambitious digital companies are headquartered,” said João Del Valle, Co-founder and CEO of EBANX. “Our investment in the region allows us to be closer to both. Global companies need local payment infrastructure to reach Asian consumers, and Asian companies need that same expertise to sell internationally. The opportunity runs in both directions.”

Among the five new EBANX’s additions, Vietnam is the fastest-growing digital commerce market, with a 22% compound annual rate through 2027, according to PCMI projections — rising from USD 36 billion to USD 44 billion. The others are not far behind. Indonesia will expand 19% over the same period, from USD 106 billion to USD 125 billion. Turkey’s 15% growth takes it from USD 123 billion to USD 142 billion. Malaysia and Thailand round out the group at 16% and 15%, respectively.

As global merchants look to diversify beyond established markets like the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Mexico, cross-border demand in these economies is already waiting for them: international transactions account for 30% of e-commerce volume in Thailand and Malaysia, and 28% in the Philippines.

EBANX’s operations in Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey are already available to merchants, with Malaysia and Vietnam set to follow in the next quarter. These operations will be fully supported by EBANX’s APAC HQ in Singapore.

A region that skipped the card era

Southeast Asia’s payment landscape is structurally distinct from other emerging markets. EBANX’s new countries of payment operations largely bypassed card infrastructure entirely, going from cash straight to e-wallets and account-to-account (A2A) transfers. Combined, those two methods account for 65% of e-commerce in Thailand, 61% in Indonesia, 50% in the Philippines, 35% in Malaysia, and 21% in Vietnam, according to PCMI.

“This did not happen by accident,” explained Eduardo de Abreu, Chief Product Officer and regional CEO of EBANX Singapore. “Southeast Asia has one of the youngest, most digitally fluent consumer populations in the world. Many of them got their first smartphone before they ever had a bank account, and certainly before they had a credit card. Digital wallets and instant transfers solved a real problem for a generation that was already living online.”

According to WDL data analysed by EBANX, Southeast Asia and India are the only regions where Generation Z holds the largest share of online spending across all verticals, at 27%. Elsewhere in Asia, Generation X leads at 30% — nearly double Gen Z’s 18% share.

How to reach local consumers

That payment landscape has become a barrier for global companies looking to scale in the region. According to an EBANX survey with its merchants, its fragmentation and low card usage often lead to performance issues that prevent them from reaching local consumers.

“The global companies we talk to about Southeast Asia are no longer asking about the region’s potential; they are asking how to unlock that potential and achieve high conversion rates,” said Abreu. “Our APAC Headquarters in Singapore gives us the regulatory anchor and the operational proximity to build country-by-country solutions that actually convert. We have been working toward this expansion for years, and the infrastructure is ready.”

Considering the seven Asian countries in EBANX’s portfolio, the company will have integrated more than 20 payment methods across the region. Among them are some of the most widely used alternative payment methods in each market, such as digital wallets and account-to-account (A2A) transactions—like bank transfers and QR-based paymentsas well as credit and debit cards.

ABOUT EBANX

EBANX is the leading technology platform connecting global businesses to the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. Founded in 2012 in Brazil, EBANX was built with a mission to expand access to international digital commerce. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep market expertise, and robust infrastructure, the platform enables global businesses to offer hundreds of local payment methods and streamline cross-border payments across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With a global footprint, it established a technology and regulatory headquarters in Singapore in 2026. More than just payments, EBANX drives growth, enhances sales, and delivers seamless purchase experiences for businesses and end users alike.

For further information, please visit:
Website: https://www.ebanx.com/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx

Media Contact:
Shan Huang
shan.huang@ahgstrategies.com 

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SOURCE EBANX

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Agoda Report Highlights Opportunities for Japanese Hoteliers to Capture Asia’s Travelers as Only 34% Reach Advanced Localization

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Insights from Agoda’s latest report highlight how moving beyond basic localization can drive stronger revenue outcomes as Japan sees rising intra-Asia travel demand

SINGAPORE, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda, in its latest deep dive report “Tailored to Win: Mastering Localization to Capture Asia’s Travelers in Japan“, reveals opportunities for Japanese hotels to capture more value from Asia’s fast-growing travel demand, with only 34% of properties having progressed beyond basic localization strategies.

Among surveyed properties, 71% of hotels at early stages of localization report positive revenue outcomes, compared to all hotels that have implemented more advanced localization, showing that while early efforts are delivering results, a more holistic approach maximizes commercial outcomes.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the market welcomed over 42 million international visitors in 2025, a 16% year-on-year increase, with Asian travelers accounting for over 80% of all arrivals.[1]  With such a high concentration of regional travelers, tailored strategies are becoming essential for hotels looking to better capture Japan’s Asian visitor market.

Agoda’s report highlights that with around 7 in 10 visitors coming from just five key Asian markets (South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand), hotels need to move beyond one-size-fits-all strategies and tailor their offerings to the distinct preferences of each market, whether through localized digital payment options, language support or culturally relevant on-site experiences. Hotels that adopt this more integrated approach are already seeing results, with around 80% of surveyed hoteliers reporting improvements in bookings.

“Only 34% of hotels have reached advanced stages of localization today with real opportunity lying in accelerating these efforts across the guest experience,” said Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director for Japan at Agoda. “By closing gaps across payments, language, and cultural understanding, hotels can better connect with Japan’s highly concentrated Asian traveler base and turn this into a sustained competitive advantage.”

Despite the potential results, Japanese hotels face several challenges in advancing localization efforts. According to the report, hoteliers cite limitations in payment integrations and marketing resources (each at 51%) as key barriers, alongside gaps in foreign language capabilities and awareness of cultural norms (each at 49%). These constraints continue to slow the adoption of more advanced, market-specific strategies.

As Japan’s tourism landscape becomes increasingly shaped by regional travel, the ability to deliver culturally attuned and localized guest experiences is becoming a key differentiator. To help partners navigate these challenges, Agoda’s report includes targeted “Quick Wins” based on traveler motivations:

South Korean Travelers: Seeks cultural exploration and unique local experiencesChinese Travelers: Spends more on experiences such as dining and activities rather than accommodationTaiwanese Travelers: Strongly motivated by culinary exploration and wellness experiencesHong Kong Travelers: Frequent, tech-savvy repeat visitors who value flexibility and convenienceThai Travelers: Often travel in families and favor budget-conscious, short-haul getaways

Agoda’s digital suite for localization draws on a global network of over 6 million diverse accommodations across markets, enabling partners to better align their offerings with the preferences of different traveler segments. With support for 39 languages, multi-currency payment options, and 24/7 customer support, Agoda helps hotels deliver more seamless and locally relevant experiences. Dedicated programs such as the Agoda Growth Program for visibility in priority markets, country-specific promotions and Agoda Media Solutions for native-language campaigns further support partners in localizing effectively. Through Agoda’s platform and expertise, hotels can overcome barriers, reach new segments and optimize their returns from international demand.

To explore how practical localization tips and actionable insights can help hotels capture more value from Asia’s diverse traveler base, download the full report at https://ago-da.co/4bAITjm.

[1] Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) (2025), “Tourism Statistics Database – Inbound Travel to Japan (Annual Data 2025).”
Available at: https://www.tourism.jp/en/tourism-database/stats/inbound/

 

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SOURCE Agoda

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