IBM CodeNet teaches AI to translate programming languages
The expansive dataset is designed to translate 55 languages, including Cobol, Java, C++, and Python


IBM unveiled a suite of new artificial intelligence (AI) services on Monday ahead of its virtual IBM Think 2021 conference.
The new features include software that teaches AI how to translate code, a cloud migration service, and more functions for the firm's Watson Assistant.
The most interesting of the announcements was a Rosetta Stone-like service for programming code called 'CodeNet', which is an expansive dataset designed to teach AI and machine learning systems how to translate code. It comprises some 14 million snippets and 500 million lines of code spread across more than 55 legacy and active languages, such as Cobol, Java, C++, and Python. The dataset is constructed in a way that allows for bidirectional translation, enabling Cobol legacy code to be translated into Java, for example.
"Given its wealth of programmes written in a multitude of languages, we believe Project CodeNet can serve as a benchmark dataset for source-to-source translation and do for AI and code what the ImageNet dataset did years ago for computer vision," the firm said.
AI featured heavily in the updates, with new features for Cloud Pak for Data, an SaaS integration platform called 'Watson Orchestrate', and a Watson Assistant collaboration with healthcare providers handling increased workloads due to the pandemic. The tech giant also revealed 'Maximo Mobile', a mobile platform based on IBM's Maximo asset management service.
RELATED RESOURCE
Transforming business operations with AI, IoT data, and edge computing
A Pathfinder report on the ROI of AI, IoT, and edge computing
The updates also included a new cloud migration service called 'Mono2Micro' that also uses AI to analyse large enterprise applications and provide recommendations on how to best adapt them for the move to the cloud. IBM said it can simplify and speed up an error-prone process, which can reduce costs and maximise returns on investment.
Beyond artificial intelligence, the announcements included a hybrid cloud-based financial services platform, built with Red Hat OpenShift. There was also a $1 billion investment to support IBM's partner ecosystem which includes skills training, and a streamlined service for quantum computing called Qiskit Runtime.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Bobby Hellard is ITPro's Reviews Editor and has worked on CloudPro and ChannelPro since 2018. In his time at ITPro, Bobby has covered stories for all the major technology companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook, and regularly attends industry-leading events such as AWS Re:Invent and Google Cloud Next.
Bobby mainly covers hardware reviews, but you will also recognize him as the face of many of our video reviews of laptops and smartphones.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?
In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
By Kate O'Flaherty Published
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Put AI to work for IT operations
whitepaper Reduce the cost and complexity of managing hybrid applications
By ITPro Published
-
AI in the retail industry is spreading beyond the IT department
News AI has become a strategic imperative for retailers, delivering marked productivity gains
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Maximizing contact center operations with generative AI assistants backed by responsible AI principles
whitepaper Reduce the cost and complexity of managing hybrid applications
By ITPro Published
-
IBM just launched powerful new open source AI models – here’s what you need to know
News Available under the Apache 2.0 license, IBM's Granite 3.0 models are trained on enterprise data and can out-perform the competition
By Emma Woollacott Published
-
Achieving business outcomes with generative AI
Webinar Take your hybrid cloud journey to the next level with generative AI
By ITPro Published
-
Wimbledon’s new Catch Me Up AI feature promises to keep fans up to date at the tournament – after it irons out some of the wrinkles
News The latest feature to come out of IBM’s partnership with Wimbledon will keep fans engaged from the early stages right through to the final with dynamic player insights
By Solomon Klappholz Published
-
AI demands new ways of data management
whitepaper The data leader’s guide for how to leverage the right databases for applications, analytics and generative AI
By ITPro Last updated
-
AI governance for responsible transparent and explainable AI workflows
whitepaper Build greater trust in your AI
By ITPro Published