Accelerate migration and modernization with agentic AI
During the Migrate and Modernize Summit, we’re thrilled to unveil a robust range of AI solutions tailored to enhance transformation and minimise obstacles.
Every organisation has a drive for innovation. Whether it’s about developing AI-driven applications, enhancing customer experiences, or unlocking fresh efficiencies, ambition is seldom lacking. However, many teams face a major hurdle: technical debt. Outdated systems, fragmented infrastructure, and obsolete code can hinder progress and drain precious resources. Currently, more than 37% of application portfolios are in dire need of modernisation—and this figure is expected to stay high over the next few years.1 Developers yearn for the freedom to innovate, but the complexities of migration and modernisation can slow down these efforts. Such delays lead to missed opportunities and stalled transformations.
Generative AI is a game changer. Teams are now leveraging it to speed up their migration and modernisation processes, all while reducing difficulties. During today’s Migrate and Modernize Summit, we’re showcasing AI tools specifically designed to enable rapid progress. Tools like GitHub Copilot for Java and .NET app modernisation, alongside new AI features in Microsoft Azure Migrate that simplify team migrations, are at the forefront. Plus, our new offering, Microsoft Azure Accelerate, pairs expert advice with investment support—helping organisations move forward confidently.
GitHub Copilot for Java and .NET App Modernisation
Transforming legacy applications, which used to span across months, can now be achieved in days thanks to GitHub Copilot’s autonomous AI agents.
Over 150 million developers—including engineering teams from 90% of the Fortune 100—utilise GitHub for collaboration and development. With the latest capabilities in GitHub Copilot for application modernisation in Java and .NET, these organisations can significantly quicken their modernisation efforts.
Begin modernising your Java and .NET applications now.
Discover what’s new:
- General availability of automated .NET and Java upgrades—Updating to the latest .NET and Java versions enhances performance, security, and features. However, addressing breaking changes and updating dependencies can be tedious. GitHub Copilot now automates these tasks, with AI agents assessing your code, identifying breaking changes, suggesting safe migration routes, and applying necessary fixes (including updates and vulnerability checks). The Microsoft Teams division used this feature to upgrade multiple projects to .NET 8—reducing months of work to just hours.
- Java app modernisation is now widely available, with .NET in public preview. Running modernised applications on Microsoft Azure offers a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient platform. With built-in high availability, global accessibility, integrated monitoring, and top-tier security—Azure simplifies deployment and scaling. The modernisation process is efficient: it assesses your app, identifies dependencies, resolves platform-related issues, containerises your code, generates deployment artefacts, and launches environments—all while ensuring alignment with your organisation’s security and compliance standards. Ford China adopted this strategy for modernising middleware applications, cutting down time and effort by 70%.
Thanks to GitHub Copilot’s app modernisation, developers can concentrate on crafting the future while AI manages the tedious tasks of updating legacy code. Customers are already witnessing results: timelines are being shortened, efforts are lightened, and paths to innovation are opening up.
What’s New in Azure Migrate: Simplifying Migration and Modernisation Across Applications and Teams
Often, migration and modernisation hit roadblocks when IT, developers, data, and security teams fail to align. Azure Migrate is rolling out new AI features that bridge these gaps, simplifying complexities and enhancing support—so teams can work together more swiftly:
- AI-powered guidance (Preview): Azure Migrate now provides a guided experience that streamlines crucial tasks, allowing teams to leverage their existing knowledge for faster, smarter movement—without the need for retraining.
- Connected workflows with GitHub Copilot (Preview): IT and development teams can now collaborate effortlessly. Azure Migrate integrates directly with GitHub Copilot’s app modernisation tools, enabling both teams to synchronise their planning and execution.
- Application-awareness by default (Preview): Gain comprehensive visibility across your portfolio along with in-depth insights into each application. Understand dependencies, keep resources in sync, and make informed, data-driven decisions during migration.
- Expanded support for databases and infrastructure (Preview): Azure Migrate is now accommodating more scenarios, including PostgreSQL and popular Linux distributions—ensuring no application is overlooked.
Migrate and Modernise Your Databases in Azure
At the core of every digital transformation lies data. This year’s Migrate and Modernize Summit showcased not just new features, but how Microsoft Azure is redefining the migration and modernisation journey for organisations of all shapes and sizes—including their databases.
Azure’s dedication to open source is highlighted by our latest PostgreSQL advancements. Embarking on your PostgreSQL journey in Azure starts with the recently launched public preview of Azure Migrate Discovery and Assessment for PostgreSQL, a new tool that smooths the planning process and accelerates migrations from on-premises, AWS, or GCP to Azure Database for PostgreSQL. This tool offers thorough discovery and assessment, aiding organisations in confidently mapping their migration strategies.
These innovations in Azure database migration aren’t just features—but a holistic approach to data modernisation that alleviates migration challenges and empowers you to develop the next generation of AI applications. From SQL Server and Oracle to PostgreSQL and Sybase workloads, Azure’s latest tools and services pave a streamlined, intelligent pathway to the cloud.
Accelerate Transformation with Microsoft Expertise and Support
Transformation goes beyond simply introducing new technology—it’s about equipping your teams and refining processes to achieve business objectives. Microsoft offers a multitude of resources to help you build skills, mitigate risks, and expedite operations with confidence. This includes expert assistance through Microsoft Unified, complimentary role-based training and certifications via Microsoft Learn, and curated technical guidance and best practices through Azure Essentials.
With Azure Accelerate, we’re stepping up our game. This initiative provides direct access to trusted experts, unlocks funding for qualifying projects, and supports every phase of your cloud and AI journey—right from migration and modernisation to data platforms and intelligent agents. A standout feature is the Cloud Accelerate Factory, where Microsoft engineers collaborate with your team or partners to deliver zero-cost deployment support for over 30 Azure services. This fosters quicker delivery, fewer obstacles, and allows your teams to focus on impactful work. Customers like Thomson Reuters have already harnessed Azure Accelerator to migrate over 500TB of data and modernise critical systems.
Move Forward with Confidence
Modernisation shouldn’t involve guesswork. Tools like GitHub Copilot and Azure Migrate are crafted to bring every application—whether legacy or new—into the modern software development lifecycle. With agentic AI and comprehensive support, starting strong and scaling quickly has never been easier.
Whether you’re embarking on your cloud journey or expanding AI functionalities throughout your organisation, Azure equips you with the clarity, speed, and support needed to move forward self-assuredly.
1 IDC, Top Application Types for Modernization: Worldwide, doc #US53053825, January 2025
