Thoughtworks launches AI platform to modernise legacy IT

Thoughtworks has launched AI/works, an agentic development platform focused on modernising legacy systems and building new software in large organisations.

The consultancy said AI/works targets the constraints that older applications and mixed technology estates place on AI programmes. Thoughtworks said many organisations face a gap between AI plans and the reality of existing systems.

Thoughtworks positions AI/works as a platform for enterprises that run hybrid environments. It said the product combines analysis of legacy systems with automated specifications, code generation and testing.

Legacy focus

Thoughtworks said AI/works uses AI-enabled reverse engineering to interpret existing applications. It converts that information into structured specifications. The company said it enriches specifications with regulatory, security and industry context.

The platform then uses those specifications in agentic workflows that generate code, automated tests and deployment pipelines, according to Thoughtworks. The company said AI/works regenerates affected components as requirements change. It said this approach reduces manual patching and avoids large rebuilds.

Thoughtworks also said the platform supports its 3-3-3 delivery model. The model sets out a route from idea to production in 90 days, according to the company.

Cloud partners

Thoughtworks said AI/works works with AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Databricks and Snowflake. The company also cited a collaboration with Mechanical Orchard. It said the partnership covers mainframe renewal.

The platform enters a growing market for agentic engineering tools, which use AI agents for parts of the software development lifecycle. Thoughtworks said many products in the category focus on creating new code. It said fewer products address legacy renewal and the broader structural constraints in enterprise environments.

Client claims

Thoughtworks said early clients using AI/works have shortened modernisation work. It said cycles that once took years now complete in months. The company also claimed cost reductions and faster delivery. It said clients generated higher quality code.

The company did not name the clients in the initial cohort. It also did not provide figures for cost savings or delivery times, beyond the months versus years comparison.

Executive view

Thoughtworks described AI/works as a product rooted in work with organisations that operate large, long-running systems. It also framed the launch as an extension of its past involvement in approaches such as Agile, microservices and continuous delivery.

"Every CEO and CIO I meet is trying to unlock AI value inside the reality of their existing systems, not in idealized greenfield environments," said Mike Sutcliff, CEO of Thoughtworks. "AI/works is built for those conditions. It understands the systems organizations have, accelerates the systems they need next and keeps everything current as the landscape shifts. The magic comes from the combination of the platform and our deeply talented technologists. Together they deliver results with speed and confidence."

Thoughtworks said it built AI/works for complex enterprise environments. It said the platform unifies legacy system understanding, requirements enhancement, automated specifications generation and agentic code generation and testing.

Market context

Thoughtworks also pointed to research it commissioned on attitudes to AI in the UK. The study found a net increase of roles resulting from AI collaboration of 43%, according to the company. It said this indicated British businesses view AI as a tool for expansion rather than replacement.

The company said it works with clients including Spotify, PayPal and JD Sports. Thoughtworks has more than 10,000 employees across 47 offices in 18 countries, according to the company.

Industry analyst Ray Wang linked the product to full lifecycle support across older and newer systems.

"AI/works stands out because it addresses the entire lifecycle, from understanding and renewing legacy systems to building what comes next," said Wang. "This sets a new bar for the category."

Thoughtworks said AI/works is available through a co-innovation programme. The company said broader availability will expand through its AI that works initiative and launch activities in the first quarter.