Thoughtworks launches AI/works to accelerate enterprise software modernisation

Thoughtworks has announced the launch of AI/works, a new agentic development platform designed to support both large-scale technology modernisation and the creation of new enterprise-grade digital products. Unveiled in Singapore on 21 January 2026, the platform is positioned as a response to growing enterprise demand for practical, production-ready AI that can operate within the constraints of existing systems rather than idealised, clean-slate environments.

The global technology consultancy, known for its role in shaping practices such as Agile, microservices and continuous delivery, described AI/works as an extension of this legacy into the AI era. The platform is intended to help organisations improve software quality while also addressing the rising cost and complexity of building, maintaining and operating enterprise technology at scale. According to Thoughtworks, AI/works has been developed to function across hybrid enterprise environments, where legacy platforms and modern cloud-based systems must coexist.

As AI adoption accelerates across industries, many organisations continue to struggle with a gap between ambition and reality. While newer agentic tools often focus on isolated productivity gains or assume modern architectures, Thoughtworks argues that most enterprises operate under far more complex conditions. AI/works has been engineered specifically to bridge this divide by bringing legacy understanding, requirements refinement and automated delivery into a single, continuous workflow.

A platform built for hybrid enterprise environments

At the core of AI/works is the ability to interpret and modernise existing systems while enabling the development of new ones. The platform uses AI-enabled reverse engineering to analyse legacy applications and translate them into structured specifications. These specifications are enriched with regulatory, security and industry-specific context, ensuring that modernisation efforts remain aligned with enterprise compliance and governance requirements.

Once these specifications are established, AI/works drives agentic workflows that generate production-grade code, automated tests and deployment pipelines. Thoughtworks states that this approach reduces the need for manual intervention and allows systems to evolve continuously as requirements change. Instead of relying on frequent patching or undertaking disruptive, large-scale rebuilds, organisations can regenerate affected components dynamically, keeping systems current with far less operational overhead.

Early client engagements suggest significant gains in speed and efficiency. Thoughtworks reported that modernisation cycles that previously took several years can now be completed within months, delivering substantial cost reductions and faster time to market. These improvements are also accompanied by higher code quality, which the company sees as critical for enterprise environments where reliability and maintainability are essential.

AI/works also underpins Thoughtworks’ 3-3-3 delivery model, which aims to take ideas from concept to production in 90 days. The platform is designed to integrate with major technology ecosystems, including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Databricks and Snowflake. In addition, a collaboration with Mechanical Orchard enables support for deep mainframe renewal, addressing one of the most challenging aspects of legacy modernisation in large organisations.

Positioning agentic engineering for the next phase of AI adoption

Agentic engineering is emerging rapidly as a competitive category, with major technology firms introducing tools that promise faster software development through AI. However, many of these offerings remain focused on accelerating the creation of new code rather than addressing the full lifecycle challenges faced by enterprises. Thoughtworks positions AI/works as a more comprehensive response, covering everything from understanding legacy systems to building and maintaining future-ready platforms.

Mike Sutcliff, CEO of Thoughtworks, said enterprise leaders are under pressure to unlock AI value within the constraints of their current technology estates. “Every CEO and CIO I meet is trying to unlock AI value inside the reality of their existing systems, not in idealised greenfield environments,” he said. “AI/works is built for those conditions. It understands the systems organisations 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.”

Industry analysts have also highlighted the platform’s broader scope. R “Ray” Wang, CEO at Constellation Research, said AI/works distinguishes itself by addressing the entire software lifecycle rather than isolated stages of development. “AI/works stands out because it addresses the entire lifecycle, from understanding and renewing legacy systems to building what comes next,” he said. “This sets a new bar for the category.”

AI/works is available immediately through a co-innovation programme, with broader access expected to expand through Thoughtworks’ AI that works initiative and planned Q1 launch activities. The company sees the platform as a foundational element of its long-term strategy to help enterprises operate more effectively in an AI-driven economy, where speed, adaptability and governance must advance together rather than in isolation.