NAViGATE 2026 at IBM TechXchange

Generating code with AI is impressive, but it's only half the story. How does it find the source it needs? How do you create the objects? How do you deploy it? How do you manage dependencies? This session explores why the right DevOps foundation is what makes all of it possible, and why, without it, AI-assisted development on IBM i is extraordinarily difficult (and expensive to do). You'll see how modern DevOps platforms automatically identify dependencies, determine build requirements, and handle deployments across environments. We'll demonstrate how non-IBM i developers can use AI to create RPG programs without understanding compilation processes or deployment procedures, because the DevOps infrastructure takes care of it. Agentic coding becomes genuinely manageable when the right foundation is in place. We'll also cover the broader case for moving to true Git-based DevOps: increased productivity through parallel development, better auditability, cleaner visibility into code changes, and a development workflow that connects IBM i to the tools the rest of your organization already uses. You'll learn strategies for integrating AI-generated code into existing workflows and see real examples of what this looks like in practice. This isn't just about writing code faster. It's about creating a complete, integrated development environment where AI and automation work together to make your team more productive.