Thoughtworks unveils AI/works for legacy modernisation

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

The technology consultancy said the platform combines legacy system analysis with automated specification generation, code generation and testing. Thoughtworks positioned the product for organisations that run hybrid technology estates that include older applications alongside newer cloud services.

Thoughtworks said many organisations face constraints as they pursue AI initiatives. It pointed to gaps between AI investment plans and the limits of existing systems. The company said some agentic tools assume new architectures or focus on developer productivity in narrow use cases.

Platform focus

Thoughtworks said AI/works uses AI-enabled reverse engineering to interpret legacy applications. The platform converts that output into structured specifications. Thoughtworks said it enriches those specifications with regulatory, security and industry context.

Thoughtworks said the specifications then guide agentic workflows. It said those workflows generate code, automated tests and deployment pipelines.

The company said AI/works takes an ongoing approach after deployment. It said the platform regenerates affected components when requirements evolve. Thoughtworks said this approach reduces reliance on manual patching. It also said it avoids large-scale rebuilds.

Delivery model

Thoughtworks said AI/works underpins its 3-3-3 delivery model. The company described the model as a path from idea to production in 90 days.

Thoughtworks also set out its partner ecosystem position. It said the platform works with AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Databricks and Snowflake.

The consultancy said it has a collaboration with Mechanical Orchard. It said this work includes support for mainframe renewal.

Thoughtworks has a long association with software delivery methods used by large organisations. The company said it has shaped practices such as Agile, microservices and continuous delivery. It said AI/works extends its work into the use of agentic development approaches.

Mike Sutcliff, CEO, Thoughtworks, described the company's view of enterprise conditions.

"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, 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."

Market signals

Thoughtworks said agentic engineering is emerging as a competitive product category. The company said major firms are entering the space.

It also drew a distinction between tools that focus on new code generation and tools that focus on legacy estates. Thoughtworks said AI/works addresses "structural challenges" in enterprises.

R "Ray" Wang, CEO, Constellation Research, commented on the positioning.

"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."

Early use

Thoughtworks said early client work on AI/works indicates faster modernisation cycles. The company said projects that took years can now complete in months. It also cited cost reductions, faster delivery and higher quality code.

The company did not name customers. It did not provide quantitative metrics for cycle time reduction, cost changes, or quality improvements.

Availability

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 related launch activities.