Today, traditional "one-off" modernization projects just aren’t enough to keep pace. Thoughtworks’ latest report, produced in partnership with IDC, reveals that while 90% of large enterprises have adopted AI in application operations, only 12% have achieved true AI-driven maturity.

For the rest, the "project-based" mindset of start-and-stop cycles is leading to mounting technical debt, team burnout, and a lack of sustainable value.

Rebuilding for the AI era

The traditional approach to modernization is often reactive, creating silos and security vulnerabilities. To remain competitive, organizations must shift from seeing modernization as a destination to viewing it as a continuous, platform-driven engine, allowing them to grow their systems rather than letting them stagnate.

Key findings

By embedding AI into the core of IT operations (ITOps), mature organizations are seeing transformative results:

  • Increased velocity: Achieving up to 45% faster product and feature release cycles.
  • Proactive security: A 48% reduction in risk exposure through AI-driven vulnerability management.
  • Operational efficiency: Reducing "noise" and automating routine tasks so teams can focus on high-value innovation.

The human-in-the-loop strategy

Success doesn’t just come from technology, but from a fundamental realignment of people and processes. Discover how a "human-in-the-loop" model, where AI handles the mechanical heavy lifting, frees human expertise for strategic architectural decisions and complex problem-solving.

Get the 180-day action plan to operationalize AI

For leaders looking to bridge the gap between IT operations and business goals, this report provides a roadmap to building an adaptable, AI-ready modernization strategy for measurable, long-term impact.