In a year that saw continued AI hype, growing cybersecurity threats and ongoing pressure to modernise core systems, IBM i once again proved its value as a stable, secure and quietly evolving platform.
IBM i 7.6 arrives with strong security improvements
The most significant change in this release was the addition of multi-factor authentication (MFA). With this update, IBM i now supports MFA with common third-party solutions such as Duo, Microsoft and IBM’s own authentication tools. This brings IBM i in line with modern security practices.
The big security improvements in IBM i 7.6 such as MFA, System ASP encryption and CFGHOSTSVR to enable only secure connections for the host servers are unique to 7.6. Other enhancements to Navigator for i, DCM and SQL are also made available on IBM i 7.5 with a few even sneaking back to 7.4.
Another area that saw steady progress was SQL development. The team responsible for SQL functions continued to add new capabilities throughout the year. These additions directly addressed user questions and requests, showing that IBM is listening to real-world needs.
Power11 rolls out focused improvements
Shortly after introducing IBM i 7.6, IBM released Power11 hardware. For many customers, this was a welcome update, even if it didn’t deliver a dramatic performance jump over Power10. Instead, Power11 offers meaningful improvements in memory capacity, efficiency and system consolidation.
One notable point was the lack of a new entry-level Power11 system equivalent to the Power10 P05 class. IBM chose not to refresh this smaller configuration. With Power10, the P05 and single socket P10 servers were limited to only 5 PCIe slots. This was a problem for multiple LPARs on the machine. In the P10 IBM i software tier, IBM released the 22B models with 2-sockets and thus had 10 available I/O slots. When Power11 appeared, IBM effectively merged the 22A and 22B models and set the tier based on the selected processor. Up to 8 cores were P10 and above that P10 LPARs were limited to 4 processor cores.
The S1012 was the last Power10 server announced. It will not be discontinued in July and may be the only model spared. Customers who need this level of capacity can still find value in existing Power10 systems, which are capable and widely available. However, IBM recently announced withdrawal from marketing for Power10, effective July 31, 2026.
When comparing Power11 to Power10, the two share many similarities. Both use DDR5 memory, and the physical layout and expansion options remain largely the same. Where Power11 gains an edge is with higher memory speeds, more cores per socket and better energy efficiency. These improvements deliver more consistent performance across a range of workloads while maintaining IBM’s focus on uptime and reliability.
AI and IBM’s Project Bob
AI was another topic people raised when talking about 2025. It’s not yet the main driver for IBM i shops, but it’s gaining attention. One of the biggest AI developments from IBM last year was Project Bob.
Project Bob is an AI-first development partner designed to help developers write, test, modernise and secure software more efficiently. Unlike simple code suggestion tools, Bob works with an organisation’s actual codebase and development standards and uses multiple AI models to deliver context-aware guidance across the software life cycle. Bob is currently in private tech preview and is already being used internally at IBM to boost developer productivity.
For IBM i customers, this kind of AI tool suggests where the industry is headed, even if most workloads today don’t centre around generative AI. Over time, tools like Bob may influence modernisation efforts, development efficiency and integration of traditional platforms with modern software practices.
What this means for 2026
The trends from 2025 show IBM i continuing on a steady path. Key improvements like MFA address real customer needs. Power11 offers the next step in system evolution with gains in capacity and efficiency. Interest in AI points to future innovation without it being the central focus just yet.
For IBM i users, 2026 will likely be about making the most of these foundations. Whether that means planning upgrades, tightening security or exploring new capabilities, the platform is positioned for continued relevance and support.
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