Announcing Azure Command Launcher for Java
Optimizing JVM Configuration for Azure Deployments Tuning the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for cloud deployments is notoriously challenging. Over 30% of developers tend to deploy Java workloads with no JVM configuration at all, therefore relying on the default settings of the HotSpot JVM. The default settings in OpenJDK are intentionally conservative, designed to work across a wide range of environments and scenarios. However, these defaults often lead to suboptimal resource utilization in cloud-based deployments, where memory and CPU tend to be dedicated for application workloads (use of containers and VMs) but still require intelligent management to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To address this, we are excited to introduce jaz, a new JVM launcher optimized specifically for Azure. jaz provides better default ergonomics for Java applications running in containers and virtual machines, ensuring a more efficient use of resources right from the start, and leverages advanced JVM features automatically, such as AppCDS and in the future, Project Leyden. Why jaz? Conservative Defaults Lead to Underutilization of Resources When deploying Java applications to the cloud, developers often need to fine-tune JVM parameters such as heap size, garbage collection strategies, and other tuning configurations to achieve better resource utilization and potentially higher performance. The default OpenJDK settings, while safe, do not take full advantage of available resources in cloud environments, leading to unnecessary waste and increased operational costs. While advancements in dynamic heap sizing are underway by Oracle, Google, and Microsoft, they are still in development and will be available primarily in future major releases of OpenJDK. In the meantime, developers running applications on current and older JDK versions (such as OpenJDK 8, 11, 17, and 21) still need to optimize their configurations manually or rely on external tools like Paketo Buildpacks, which automate tuning but may not be suitable for all use cases. With jaz, we are providing a smarter starting point for Java applications on Azure, with default configurations designed for cloud environments. The jaz launcher helps by: Optimizing resource utilization: By setting JVM parameters tailored for cloud deployments, jaz reduces wasted memory and CPU cycles. Improve first-deploy performance: New applications often require trial and error to find the right JVM settings. jaz increases the likelihood of better performance on first deployment. Enhance cost efficiency: By making better use of available resources, applications using jaz can reduce unnecessary cloud costs. This tool is ideal for developers who: Want better JVM defaults without diving deep into tuning guides Develop and deploy cloud native microservices with Spring Boot, Quarkus, or Micronaut Prefer container-based workflows such as Kubernetes and OpenShift Deploy Java workloads on Azure Container Apps, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Red Hat OpenShift, or Azure VMs How jaz works? jaz sits between your container startup command and the JVM. It will: Detect the cloud environment (e.g., container limits, available memory) Analyzes the workload type and selects best-fit JVM options Launches the Java process with optimized flags, such as: Heap sizing GC selection and tuning Logging and diagnostics settings as needed Example Usage Instead of this: $ JAVA_OPTS="-XX:... several JVM tuning flags" $ java $JAVA_OPTS -jar myapp.jar" Use: $ jaz -jar myapp.jar You will automatically benefit from: Battle-tested defaults for cloud native and container workloads Reduced memory waste Better startup and warmup performance No manual tuning required How to Access jaz (Private Preview) jaz is currently available through a Private Preview. During this phase, we are working closely with selected customers to refine the experience and gather feedback. To request access: 👉 Submit your interest here Participants in the Private Preview will receive access to jaz via easily installed standalone Linux packages for container images of the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK and Eclipse Temurin (for Java 8). Customers will have direct communication with our engineering and product teams to further enhance the tool to fit their needs. For a sneak peek, you can read the documentation. Our Roadmap Our long-term vision for jaz includes adaptive JVM configuration based on telemetry and usage patterns, helping developers achieve optimal performance across all Azure services. ⚙️ JVM Configuration Profiles 📦 AppCDS Support 📦 Leyden Support 🔄 Continuous Tuning 📊 Share telemetry through Prometheus We’re excited to work with the Java community to shape this tool. Your feedback will be critical in helping us deliver a smarter, cloud-native Java runtime experience on Azure.Spring AI 1.0 GA is Here - Build Java AI Apps End-to-End on Azure Today
Spring AI 1.0 is now generally available, and it is ready to help Java developers bring the power of AI into their Spring Boot applications. This release is the result of open collaboration and contributions across the Spring and Microsoft Azure engineering teams. Together, they have made it simple for Java developers to integrate LLMs, vector search, memory, and agentic workflows using the patterns they already know. Why This Matters for Java Developers? Spring AI 1.0, built and maintained by the Spring team at Broadcom with active contributions from Microsoft Azure, delivers an intuitive and powerful foundation for building intelligent apps. You can plug AI into existing Spring Boot apps with minimal friction, using starters and conventions familiar to every Spring developer. Whether you are building new intelligent features or exploring AI use cases, Spring AI and Azure have you covered. Azure - The Complete AI Stack for Java Developers Azure offers every essential component needed to build intelligent Java applications. At the core of this offering is Azure AI Foundry, which provides a unified platform for enterprise AI operations, model builders, and application development. With AI Foundry, Java developers do not need to train or fine-tune models. They can deploy foundation models themselves, interact with already deployed foundation models, or connect to models deployed by their AI engineers or data/ML engineers. Developers can connect to these deployed models, test prompt templates, inspect token usage and latency metrics, and embed model interactions directly into their Spring Boot applications. This platform combines production-grade infrastructure with user-friendly tools, helping developers operate AI-powered applications with confidence. Here is how each piece fits into your Spring development workflow: Model-as-a-Service – Use Azure OpenAI for hosted large language models or choose from models available in Azure AI model inference, including offerings from Meta, Mistral AI, and DeepSeek. These models can be accessed directly using Spring AI starters, allowing your app to summarize, answer, generate, or assist through a simple, declarative API. Vector Databases – Embeddings and vector similarity are essential for semantic search and RAG. Azure provides multiple options: Cosmos DB with vector search support, Azure AI Search for advanced indexing and reranking, PostgreSQL with pgvector for SQL-based access, or Redis for in-memory speed. Spring AI integrates with these options to retrieve relevant context dynamically. Relational Databases – Use familiar relational databases like Azure SQL Database, PostgreSQL, and MySQL for structured data and transactional workloads. These remain the backbone for business logic, customer data, and system state that complement AI-generated content. Chat Memory – Track conversations across multiple turns using memory stores. Cosmos DB and Redis can persist chat memory, enabling your Spring-based agents to retain history, manage context, and respond in a more personalized way. RAG Workflows – Retrieval-Augmented Generation allows models to respond using external knowledge. Spring AI provides out-of-the-box support for RAG using vector stores and document loaders, enabling Java developers to build grounded, trustworthy interactions with minimal boilerplate. Orchestration with MCP – Build intelligent agents that call functions, retrieve data, and reason across steps. With Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, Spring AI apps can integrate seamlessly with external toolchains and invoke capabilities across multiple services. The MCP Java SDK is available through Spring Boot starters, simplifying the creation of both MCP Servers and Clients. App, AI Agent or MCP Server Deployment – Run your Spring AI applications, AI agents, and MCP servers on your choice of Azure compute: Azure App Service for managed deployments, AKS for containerized microservices, Azure Container Apps for serverless scale-out, or Virtual Machines for full control. Spring Boot simplifies packaging and deployment across these environments. In addition to deploying applications built with Spring AI, you can deploy any MCP Server - regardless of the language stack - to Azure and interoperate with it using MCP Clients built with Spring AI. This ensures that Java developers can connect and collaborate with agents and services written by other teams using different technology stacks. Whether you are deploying an AI-powered web app, a backend intelligence service, or a full agentic workflow across services, Azure provides the flexibility, scalability, and operational reliability you need. Fundamentals for Enterprise-Grade AI Applications In production, AI features must align with enterprise requirements like security, reliability, and explainability. Here is how Spring AI and Azure together deliver on these needs: Security and Access Control – Ensure AI features respect role-based access policies. Use keyless or passwordless authentication for Spring Boot apps accessing Azure OpenAI, PostgreSQL + pgvector, Cosmos DB, and connections to Azure SQL, PostgreSQL, and MySQL – using managed identities and Entra ID. Integrate identity with Microsoft Entra ID and protect secrets using Azure Key Vault. Spring Security helps you enforce user-scoped interactions. Safety and Compliance – Use content filtering, prompt injection protection, and policy alignment to control model behavior. Azure OpenAI includes built-in safety filters. Combined with Spring AI’s prompt templates, you can enforce structured, policy-compliant interactions. Observability – Monitor model usage, token consumption, latency, and errors. Spring Boot Actuator and Micrometer provide metrics out-of-the-box. You can export these metrics to Azure Monitor and Application Insights for full-stack visibility. Structured Outputs – Use JSON or XML formats when integrating AI responses into downstream systems. Spring AI supports output parsing and schema validation, so generated content can drive actions within your application without post-processing. Reasoning and Explainability – Let applications show sources, highlight references, or explain decision flows. In domains like healthcare or finance, this transparency builds trust. Spring AI supports tool calling and multi-step workflows that help models reason and communicate clearly. Tools, Demos and Learning Paths As always, you can start at start.spring.io, the easiest place to start any Spring Boot project, to quickly generate your app project using Spring AI, Web and Azure starters like OpenAI, AI Search, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL + pgvector, relational databases, and Redis. End-to-End Demo – watch a hands-on demo of building enterprise AI agents with Java, Spring, and MCP. Get Started Today! Resources: Azure QuickStart using Spring AI and Spring AI resources Azure QuickStart using Spring AI o Chat o Use Your Data o Completions Spring AI o Spring AI Project o Spring AI Documentation o Spring AI Examples Collaboration and Contributions This GA release of Spring AI reflects the combined engineering and open-source commitment of Broadcom and Microsoft. Special thanks to Adib Saikali, Mark Pollack, Christian Tzolov, Dariusz Jędrzejczyk, Josh Long, Dan Vega, DaShaun Carter, Asir Selvasingh, Theo van Kraay, Mark Heckler, Matt Gotteiner, Govind Kamtamneni, Jorge Balderas, Brendan Mitchell, and Karl Erickson for their leadership, code, documentation, guidance, and community focus. Get Started Today! Everything you need is ready. Build your next AI-powered Java app with Spring AI and Azure. Begin your journey here: aka.ms/spring-aiThe State of Coding the Future with Java and AI – May 2025
Software development is changing fast, and Java developers are right in the middle of it - especially when it comes to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their apps. This report brings together feedback from 647 Java professionals to show where things stand and what is possible as Java and AI come together. One of the biggest takeaways is this: Java developers do not need to be experts in AI, machine learning, or Python. With tools like the Model Context Protocol (MCP) Java SDK, Spring AI, and LangChain4j, they can start adding smart features to their apps using the skills they already have. Whether it is making recommendations, spotting fraud, supporting natural language search or a world of possibilities, AI can be part of everyday Java development. The report walks through real-world approaches that Java developers are already using - things like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, embeddings, and AI agents. These are not just buzzwords - they help teams build apps that work well at scale, stay secure, and are easier to manage over time. For teams figuring out where to start, the report includes guidance and simple workflows to make things easier. In short, Java is well-positioned to keep leading in enterprise software. This is an invitation to Java architects, tech leads, decision-makers, and developers to explore what is next and build smarter, more connected apps with AI. Introduction The world of software development is changing fast. Over the past two years, we have seen a major shift – not just in tools and frameworks, but in how developers think about building software. Artificial Intelligence is now part of the everyday conversation – helping developers rethink what their applications can do and how quickly they can build them. In the middle of all this change, it helps to pause and look at where we are. Java developers are especially exploring how to add intelligence to their existing applications or build new ones that can learn, adapt, and scale. But with so many innovative ideas and so much information out there, the real question is – what are developers doing? To answer that, we reached out directly to Java professionals across the world. We wanted to understand their thinking, what they are trying, and what they need to move forward with confidence. Our invitation was simple - "Calling all Java pros – share your insights to help simplify AI-powered apps 👉 aka.ms/java-ai." The response was strong. A total of 647 Java professionals took part: 587 have experience with AI - representing a wide range of perspectives and levels of AI knowledge. 60 have not yet explored AI - but are curious and eager to learn what is possible. Among all respondents: Two-thirds (67%) had 4 to 10 years of Java experience. One-third (33%) had more than 10 years of experience. This report highlights what we learned – and what it means for the future of Java and AI. The Scenario We Asked Java Pros to Imagine “Picture yourself adding an AI-driven feature to an existing Java-based app or building a brand-new intelligent application. This feature might improve customer experience – such as personalized recommendations – optimize business processes – like fraud detection – or enhance product searches using natural language. Your goal is to seamlessly integrate this feature, ensuring it is easy to develop, scalable, and maintainable.” An impressive 97 percent of respondents said they would choose Java for building this type of intelligent application. A Common Misconception 90 percent of respondents believed that building intelligent Java apps would require deep experience with AI, Machine Learning, or Python. Developers Can Start to Deliver Production-Grade Intelligent Java Apps without AI, ML, or Python Skills Myth of AI/ML and Java Java developers already have what they need – today – to build intelligent applications using modern Java-first frameworks such as Model Context Protocol (MCP) Java SDK, Spring AI, or LangChain4j. No prior experience in Python or Machine Learning is required for Java developers to begin adding intelligent features to their apps. Connecting a Java application to backend AI systems – including Large Language Models and Vector Databases – is conceptually like working with REST APIs or traditional SQL and NoSQL databases. Modern libraries like MCP Java SDK, Spring AI, and LangChain4j make it easier for developers to build and enhance AI-powered Java applications. These frameworks offer support for: Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Conversational memory Conversation logging Integration with vector stores Secure, observable, and safe-by-default interactions Streamed outputs and structured reasoning Java continues to play a leading role in enterprise software. This gives Java developers a natural advantage – and a unique opportunity – to lead the way in delivering intelligent features inside core business applications. It is also important to note that tasks requiring deep AI and Data Science knowledge are best left to specialists. Java developers can focus on app logic, integration, and delivering business value without needing to become AI experts themselves. In-Process vs HTTP-Based - A Common Misstep in AI Application Design AI-powered applications can be built in different ways - and one of the patterns is to embed the model directly within the same app that handles business logic and exposes the API. This is known as the in-process approach. In this setup, the model is loaded at runtime, using local weights and often relying on a GPU for inference. It is a convenient option - especially when working with models you have created from scratch or downloaded for use in your own application. The Shift to Model-as-a-Service - A Simple History Before foundation models were made available as services, most AI models were custom-built for specific use cases – like classifying documents, detecting anomalies, or predicting demand. These models were typically developed in Python using frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch. Because development and usage happened in the same environment, it was natural to load the model directly into the application’s memory using local weights, and to rely on a local GPU for inference. This model-in-app pattern made sense when the app and the model were designed together. Many popular Python-based libraries, including PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face Transformers, encourage this in-process setup by default. As a result, the model often becomes a local function call - tightly coupled to the application’s logic and runtime. However, that convenience introduces scaling and maintenance challenges. Every application instance must run on a machine with GPU access. You must allocate GPU resources per app, even when the app is idle. As demand grows, this leads to higher infrastructure costs, lower resource efficiency, and architectural rigidity. If you scale the app, you are often forced to scale GPU capacity along with it - even if only the app's business logic needs scaling. The Rise of HTTP-Based Integration with Model-as-a-Service The introduction of foundation models like GPT-4, available through services such as OpenAI and Azure OpenAI, brought a shift in how models are used in applications. These models are designed to handle a wide range of tasks and are offered as cloud-hosted APIs - a model-as-a-service approach. Instead of embedding the model into each application, you send a request over HTTP and receive a response. This change enables a new design pattern: the application and the model are treated as separate services. The app handles business logic, while the model service handles inference. This pattern brings clear advantages - modularity, cleaner separation of concerns, centralized control over GPU infrastructure, and the ability to reuse models across many applications. The diagram above illustrates this shift. On the left, the in-process setup binds the model tightly to the application, requiring direct GPU access and local weights. On the right, the HTTP-based setup enables applications written in any language stack - such as Java, Python, JavaScript, .NET, or Go - to interact with a shared model endpoint over HTTP. This separation makes it easier to update models, manage infrastructure, including GPU infrastructure, and scale intelligently. It also reflects how most modern AI platforms are now built. HTTP-based integration is scalable, cost-effective, and designed for modern application environments. It reduces operational complexity and gives developers the flexibility to choose the architecture that fits their needs - without being locked into one stack, tools, models, or setup. Myth about Python As we listened to Java developers across the community, a familiar pattern emerged. Many shared their experiences - and sometimes frustrations - when working with AI technologies in Java. These were not just passing remarks. They reflected real challenges - especially when it came to building or training machine learning models, where Python has long been the preferred environment. Here is a glimpse into what we heard: “Java has fewer AI-specific libraries compared to Python. Libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch are more mature and feature-rich in Python, making it easier to implement complex AI models.” “Working on AI-powered applications with Java presents challenges, especially when building or training models. The ecosystem is not as deep as Python’s, which has tools like Scikit-learn and notebooks like Jupyter.” “Even though Java can be used for AI, the support for GPU acceleration is not as seamless as it is in Python. You need extra setup and tuning.” “There are fewer Java developers with strong AI backgrounds. It is harder to find or grow a team when Python seems to be the go-to language for most ML engineers.” These are all honest, valid observations. If the job-to-be-done is building foundation models, training models from scratch, or fine-tuning existing models, then Python is a natural choice. It offers the right tools, libraries, and ecosystem support to do that job well. But here is what really matters today: Most AI application developers - including those working in Java - are not training or fine-tuning models. They are not building models from the ground up or optimizing low-level GPU workloads. Instead, they are focused on a different job: Connecting to existing foundation models. Calling AI services over REST APIs. Using AI libraries like Spring AI and LangChain4j to orchestrate intelligent workflows. Querying vector databases. Embedding AI capabilities into production-grade enterprise applications. This distinction is clearly reflected in the diagram above. On the right side, you see “Model Training and Development” as a separate, specialized job. It is critical work - best handled by teams with deep expertise in data science and model engineering. On the left side, you see the application architecture most Java developers work with every day: REST APIs, business logic, database integration, and calls to external AI models and vector stores using AI libraries. This is where Java fits. Java developers are not building models - they are building apps on top of foundation models. And with tools like MCP Java SDK, Spring AI, and LangChain4j, they are not playing catch-up - they are building what matters, integrate AI into existing apps and capabilities. You do not need to train models. You just need to wire up the right parts, connect to the services that make AI possible, and deliver intelligent functionality where it belongs - inside the applications your organization already depends on. “You can be an AI application developer - in less than 2 minutes. Minute 1: Sign up for access to an LLM - Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, whatever. Get yourself an API key. Minute 2: Head to https://start.spring.io, specify `OpenAI` (or whatever), hit `Generate`, and then open your new Spring Boot + Spring AI project in your IDE. In your `application.properties`, you’ll need to specify your API key. Then, inject the auto-configured `ChatClient` somewhere in your code. Use the `ChatClient` to make a request to your model. Congratulations - you’re an AI application developer!” -- Josh Long, Spring Developer Advocate, Broadcom "Is Java still relevant in this new era of AI?" "How do I, with my years of Java expertise, even begin to work with these Large Language Models today?" These are questions I have heard time and again at community events and industry conferences. Today, Java developers are at a pivotal moment. Our existing skills are not just still relevant - they are the foundation for building the next generation of AI-powered applications. Thanks to frameworks like Quarkus, Langchain4j, and MCP integration, we can bridge the world of traditional enterprise development with the fast-growing world of AI - all without giving up the strengths and familiarity of Java.” – Daniel Oh, Senior Principal Developer Advocate, Red Hat The future of AI in software development will be defined by who integrates AI well into applications - both existing and new apps. Most AI-related development will be connecting models to solve real problems inside real applications. And in that space, Java is already strong. From financial services to healthcare, logistics to manufacturing - Java powers the business logic and workflows that now need to become intelligent. This is where Java developers shine. And with the right tools, they are more than ready to lead. Crucial Elements for Java AI Applications As we looked deeper into the survey results, one thing became clear – Java developers are not just interested in adding AI for the sake of it. They are focused on building practical, enterprise-ready features that are reliable, secure, and easy to maintain. 98% of respondents highlighted a core set of approaches or elements that they see as essential for any AI-powered Java application: Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) – Bringing real-time, context-aware answers by grounding responses in trusted data. This is especially useful in enterprise scenarios where accuracy and context matter. Embeddings and Vector Databases – Enabling efficient semantic search and advanced knowledge retrieval. Developers recognize this as the key to making applications “understand” the meaning behind user inputs. Function Calling or Tool Calling – Allowing AI models to interact with APIs, pull in real-time data, or trigger backend workflows. This is where AI starts to act – not just suggest – making it a true part of the application logic. AI Agents – These are not just chatbots. Agents are intelligent programs that can automate or assist with tasks on behalf of users or teams. They combine reasoning, memory, and action – gathering information and triggering responses dynamically. For many developers, agents represent the next step toward intelligent automation inside business-critical workflows. Fundamentals for Enterprise-Grade AI Applications When building applications for the enterprise, developers know that intelligence alone is not enough. Trust, safety, and integration matter just as much. These are the foundational features Java developers called out: Security and Access Control – Making sure AI features respect user roles, protect sensitive data, and fit into enterprise identity systems. Safety and Compliance – Filtering outputs to align with internal policies, legal regulations, and brand standards. This is especially important for customer-facing features. Observability – Tracking how AI decisions are made, logging user and AI interactions, and making sure there is a clear record of what happened – and why. Structured Outputs – AI responses need to work within the system, not outside it. Structured formats – like JSON or XML – ensure smooth handoffs between the AI component and the rest of the application. Reasoning and Explainability – Developers want AI features that can explain their answers, show their sources, and help users trust the output – especially in domains like finance, healthcare, or compliance. Representative Scenarios and Business Impact To make things more concrete, let us look at two sample scenarios. These are not the only ones – just representative examples to help spark ideas. There is a broad and growing range of real-world situations where Java developers can use AI to create business value. Scenario One – Intelligent Workflow Automation Imagine a production manager at an auto manufacturer - say, Mercedes-Benz or Ford - who needs to align the assembly line schedule with real-time component availability and constantly shifting order priorities. The manager’s question is urgent and complex: “How can I adjust the production schedule based on today’s parts inventory and current orders?” Answering means pulling in data from ERP systems, supply chain feeds, vendor dashboards, and manufacturing operations - a level of complexity that can overwhelm even experienced teams. This is where AI steps in as a true copilot - working alongside the human decision-maker to gather data, flag supply constraints, and highlight scheduling options. Together, they can plan faster, adapt more confidently, and respond to change in real time. For Java developers, this is an opportunity to build intelligent systems that bring together data from ERP, inventory, and order management applications - enabling AI models to interact with information and collaborate with decision-makers. These systems do not rely on AI alone; they depend on strong data integration and reliable workflows - all of which can be designed, secured, and scaled within the Java ecosystem. In this way, AI becomes part of a co-working loop - and Java developers are the ones who make that loop real. Scenario Two – AI-Powered Process Assistants Picture a logistics manager at a major shipping company - FedEx, UPS, or DHL - facing cascading delays due to severe weather across multiple regions. The manager is under pressure to reroute packages efficiently while minimizing disruptions to downstream delivery schedules. The question is urgent: “What is the fastest rerouting option for delayed packages due to weather?” Answering requires combining live weather feeds, traffic data, delivery schedules, hub capacities, and driver availability - all in real time. AI acts as a true copilot at this moment, working alongside the manager to collect relevant signals, flag risk zones, and generate rerouting recommendations. Together, they respond with speed and clarity, keeping shipments moving and customers informed. For Java teams, this is a practical opportunity to build intelligent systems that embed AI into logistics, supply chain, and delivery operations - not by rebuilding everything, but by integrating the right data streams, APIs, and business logic. The real value lies in data orchestration, not just algorithms. Java developers are key to enabling these AI-powered assistants by securing connections across systems and building workflows that help humans and AI collaborate effectively under pressure. More Scenarios – World of Possibilities These two scenarios only scratch the surface. Developers across industries – from healthcare and finance to retail and public services – are finding ways to integrate AI that solve meaningful problems, reduce complexity, and improve how their systems perform. Java and AI Technology Stack So far, we have looked at what developers want to build and how AI is changing the way applications are designed. Now, let us look at the platform behind it all – the technology stack that powers intelligent Java applications. To bring these ideas to life and impact, Java developers need a foundation that connects data, apps, and AI services. We call this an AI application platform. It is not a specific product – it is an integrated platform made up of components that most developer teams already use or are familiar with. The goal of this platform is to make developers more productive while building intelligent features into their applications. It gives teams the freedom to choose familiar tools – while making it easier to bring in AI capabilities when and where they are needed. We group this platform into three areas: The app platform The data platform The AI platform Let us break it down using the numbered diagram: Developer Services: These are the core tools that developers use every day – IDEs, coding assistants, build tools, testing frameworks, CI/CD pipelines. They help you write, debug, and manage application code across your team. Container Services | Platform-as-a-Service: This is the runtime layer – where your applications are deployed and scaled. Whether using containers or a managed platform, this layer handles traffic, performance, and operational efficiency. Data Platform: This is where your application data lives – databases, data lakes, and other storage services. It connects structured data, business logic, and real-time events. AI Platform: This is where intelligence is added. It includes access to large language models, embeddings, vector search, and other tools that support natural language interactions, automation, and decision-making. Together, these four parts form the foundation for building, deploying, and managing AI-powered Java applications. Technology Stacks for Spring Boot and Quarkus Applications To make this more relatable, we highlighted two of the most widely adopted Java frameworks – Spring Boot and Quarkus. These stacks represent popular combinations that many Java teams are already using today for building cloud-native applications. That said, these are just representative examples. There are many valid combinations that developers, platform teams, and organizations can choose – based on their existing tools, workloads, and team preferences. Representative Spring Boot Stack App Platform: App hosting service of choice AI Library: Spring AI AI Platform: OpenAI Business Data: PostgreSQL Vector Database: PostgreSQL Representative Quarkus Stack App Platform: App hosting service of choice AI Library: LangChain4j AI Platform: OpenAI Business Data: PostgreSQL Vector Database: PostgreSQL Both stacks support the core capabilities needed for building intelligent apps – from secure model access and real-time data integration to observability and system-level debugging. But the opportunity does not stop there. Traditional App Servers - Tomcat, WebLogic, JBoss EAP or WebSphere Many enterprise applications continue to run on Tomcat, WebLogic, JBoss EAP, or WebSphere. These are stable platforms that power core business systems – and they are very much part of the AI journey. If you are running on one of these platforms, you can still bring intelligence into your applications. By using a Java library of choice (Spring AI or LangChain4j) , you can connect these applications to Large Language Models (LLMs) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers – without needing to rewrite or migrate them. This means that intelligence can be added, not just rebuilt – a powerful approach for teams with large existing investments in Java EE or Jakarta EE applications. Whether your Java app is built with Spring Boot, Quarkus, or deployed on a traditional app server, the tools are here – and the path to intelligent applications is open. You do not have to start from scratch. You can start from where you are. Java and MCP – The Bridge to Intelligent Applications One of the most important parts of the Java and AI story is MCP - the Model Context Protocol. MCP is an open, flexible, and interoperable standard that allows large language models to connect with the outside world - and more importantly, with real applications and real data. At its core, MCP is a bridge - a structured way for models to access enterprise data, invoke tools, and collaborate with AI agents. It gives developers control over how data moves, how decisions are made, and how actions are triggered. The result is safer, more predictable AI behavior inside real-world systems. MCP servers can be implemented in any language stack – such as Java, C#, Python, and NodeJS - and integrated into any AI-powered application, regardless of how that application is written. That interoperability makes MCP especially valuable for teams working across systems and languages. If you are building an MCP server using Java, the official MCP Java SDK maintained by Anthropic provides the right starting point. You can also use frameworks like Spring or Quarkus to implement MCP servers with full enterprise capabilities. For those building applications using Spring AI or LangChain4j, both libraries support connecting to any MCP server - whether running locally or remotely - to orchestrate tools, call functions, and manage agent behavior as part of the runtime flow. In addition, ready-to-use implementations like the Azure MCP Server make it easier to add intelligence to backends, orchestrate workflows, and shape AI agent behavior without starting from scratch. Authentication and Authorization Security is a critical part of any enterprise-grade solution - and MCP is no exception. In collaboration with Anthropic, Microsoft proposed a new authorization specification for MCP. This specification has now been finalized and is being implemented across MCP clients and servers to ensure that all interactions are secure, policy-driven, and consistent across environments. This continued investment in standards, tooling, and security is helping MCP mature into a core enabler of intelligent applications - especially for enterprise Java teams looking to move fast without compromising on trust or control. Preferred Libraries – What Java Developers Are Choosing As part of our outreach to 647 Java professionals, we asked a key question: “Which AI frameworks or libraries would you consider for building or integrating intelligence into Java applications?” Here is what they told us: Spring AI - selected by 43 percent. LangChain4j – preferred by 37 percent. These two libraries clearly lead the way. They reflect the maturity of the Java ecosystem and show strong alignment with the two most active communities – Spring and Jakarta EE. Spring AI and LangChain4j offer higher-level abstractions that simplify how developers connect to AI services, manage context, interact with models, and build intelligent features. For developers already working in Spring Boot or Quarkus, these libraries feel familiar – and that lowers the barrier to adding intelligent capabilities into existing codebases. Other Developer Preferences At the same time, a considerable number of developers – 37 percent and 29 percent – also shared that they would prefer to work directly with AI service provider libraries or call REST APIs. This is not a surprise. In fact, it is a healthy signal. Many teams use these lower-level integrations to gain early access to new features or customize interactions in ways that higher-level libraries may not yet support. It is important that these developers know: You are not wrong - but you are not alone either. While direct API integration offers flexibility, AI libraries like Spring AI and LangChain4j are designed to make those experiences easier. They wrap the complexity, manage context, offer tested patterns that align with enterprise application needs - like observability, security, and structured outputs – plug your code into the Spring and Java ecosystem of possibilities for deep integration. Evolving Together As AI services evolve, day-zero support will almost always appear first in the service provider’s native SDKs and REST APIs. That is expected. But as those capabilities stabilize, AI libraries like Spring AI and LangChain4j will latch on – offering developers a smoother, more consistent programming experience. The result: Developers get to start fast with APIs – and scale confidently with higher level libraries and frameworks. Top Challenges and Areas Needing Improvement As part of our research, we asked 647 Java professionals to share the biggest challenges they face – and where they believe improvements would help the most. The answers reflected where the community is today – eager to build but still facing some friction points. Top Challenges Java Developers Encounter Lack of clear starting points and step-by-step guidance. Feeling overwhelmed by the variety of AI models, libraries, and tools. Misconceptions that machine learning expertise is required. Complexity with integrating AI features into existing applications - particularly introduced by suboptimal patterns such as directly calling REST APIs through low-level HTTP libraries, invoking Python-based routines through external OS processes, or loading models into the application’s memory at runtime using local weights and GPU resources. Missing features in some of the current libraries and frameworks. Uncertainty about scaling applications and safely using private models on the cloud. Areas Developers Believe Need the Most Improvement Clear and practical step-by-step workflows. Guidance on how to securely integrate private models. Examples that show how to use chat models for function calling and streaming completions. Educational content that explains completions, reasoning, and data validation. Tools and how-to guides for embedding-based search and question answering. Tutorials on how to leverage external data to improve model output. Java Developers – Familiar with AI vs. New to AI Among all respondents: 87 percent are familiar with AI. 13 percent are newer to AI and just getting started. Java Developers New to AI These developers are exploring use cases, evaluating models, and building early prototypes. Their top challenges are: Lack of clear starting points. Too many options in terms of tools and models. Need for simple, practical guidance. The top areas that will benefit them: Step-by-step development workflows. Examples of using chat models and completions. Simple breakdowns of key concepts like reasoning and validation. Java Developers Familiar with AI These developers are further along – often in development or production stages – and face a wide range of challenges. A top need for them is: Secure ways to integrate private models into Java apps. They also benefit from deeper technical content, patterns, and advanced tooling support. Moving Forward with Confidence This space is evolving faster than anyone expected – and that can feel overwhelming. But the top challenges Java developers face are real, and the community is actively addressing them. It is important not to worry about the number of tools, models, or libraries. That diversity is a sign of progress. Models will keep evolving. New ones will arrive. And this is exactly where higher-level Java libraries step in. Spring AI, LangChain4j, and the MCP Java SDK are designed to simplify the path forward. These libraries create a layer of abstraction that shields your application code from constant changes. You can build once – and switch models or providers as needed, without rewriting core logic. And these libraries are alive. You can see them in action on GitHub – through open issues, pull requests, and rapid updates. If you see a missing feature, open an issue. If you want to contribute, send a pull request. These are responsive communities that welcome participation. “AI, for most people today, effectively means "sending human-language sentences to an HTTP endpoint." 80% of the noise right now is about the artful and scalable connection of these models with your data and business logic - data guarded by services whose business logic is statistically implemented in Spring Boot and Spring AI. We, as JVM developers, are uniquely well-positioned to expand the AI universe. Don’t delay - start (spring.io) today!” -- Josh Long, Spring Developer Advocate, Broadcom “By combining Quarkus’s speed, Langchain4j’s AI orchestration, and MCP’s unified tool access, Java developers are in a unique position to lead this transformation - building intelligent, resilient applications using the tools and approaches we know well. Working with AI is no longer a distant specialty - it is becoming a natural part of modern Java development” -- Daniel Oh, Senior Principal Developer Advocate, Red Hat AI Concepts for App Developers As you build your first intelligent Java applications, it helps to become familiar with key AI concepts such as foundation models, chat models, embedding models, prompts, inference endpoints, context windows, and vector search (see diagram below for a curated list). These concepts are not just theory - they directly shape how your applications interact with AI systems. To make it easier, we created a simple learning prompt that you can use with your favorite Chat Model like ChatGPT and Claude: // Prompt Template for Java Developers Learning AI Concepts // (Replace <TERM> with the topic you want to learn.) I am a Java enterprise app developer focused on building AI-powered Java applications. I do not fully understand what '<TERM>' means. Please explain it to me so simply that I can think about it like a Java library or service I would naturally use. Use examples from enterprise Java (like APIs, search, summarization, customer service bots) that I would typically build. If possible, give a mental model I can remember and relate to Java patterns. Also, suggest a small sample of how I would use '<TERM>' via an API in a Java app, if that helps understanding. You can replace <TERM> with any concept you want to learn, such as "Embedding Model" or "Inference Endpoint," and get a focused, practical explanation that fits how you already think as a Java developer. By practicing with this method, you can quickly build second-nature familiarity with the terms and ideas behind AI development - without needing a research background. With the strong foundation you already have in Java, you will be ready to confidently integrate, adapt, and innovate as AI tools continue to evolve. AI Is Now a Java Developer’s Game You do not need to train your own models to start building intelligent applications. You can do it today - using popular, production-ready foundation models - all within the Java ecosystem you already know and trust. These are still Java applications at their core. What sets you apart is not just your Java expertise - it is your deep understanding of how real business processes work and how to bring them to life in code. You know how to build, secure, scale, and operate reliable systems - and now, you can apply those same skills to deliver AI-powered solutions that run in the environments your teams already use, including Microsoft Azure. AI-Assisted App Development – A Powerful Companion to Building Intelligent Java Apps No discussion about the future of software development is complete without acknowledging the rise of AI-assisted development. This is a separate - but equally important - path alongside building intelligent applications. And it is transforming how developers write, upgrade, and manage code. At the center of this shift is tools like GitHub Copilot - a tool that is reshaping how developers approach their daily work. Developers using GitHub Copilot report coding up to 55 percent faster, freeing up time to focus on design decisions, solving business problems, and writing less boilerplate code. But the benefits go deeper than speed - 75 percent of developers say that Copilot makes their work more satisfying. Today, 46 percent of all code on GitHub is written with AI assistance, and over 20,000 organizations are already embracing these tools to improve development workflows and accelerate delivery. Built Into the Tools You Already Use GitHub Copilot works where Java developers already build – in IDEs like Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ, and Eclipse. It brings contextual, customizable assistance, powered by the latest models such as gpt-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Whether it is suggesting code snippets, auto-completing functions, or helping enforce best practices, GitHub Copilot enhances the quality of code and the productivity of developers – all while keeping them in control. Helping Modernize and Maintain Java Codebases One of the most exciting capabilities is GitHub Copilot’s growing role in modernizing Java applications. Late last year, the GitHub Copilot App Modernization – Java Upgrade feature entered private preview. This tool is designed to support large, mission-critical tasks like: Upgrading Java versions and frameworks Refactoring code Updating dependencies Aligning to cloud-first practices The process starts with your local Java project. Copilot provides an AI-generated upgrade assistant, and developers stay in the loop to approve changes step-by-step. The goal is to take the heavy lifting out of routine upgrades while ensuring everything remains safe and aligned with your architecture. Beyond App Code – Towards Cloud-Ready Modernization Technology providers like Microsoft are investing deeply in this space to bring additional capabilities into developer workflows – including: Secure identity handling through passwordless authentication Certificate management and secrets handling Integration with PaaS services for storage, data, caching, and observability All of this reduces the time it takes to bring legacy apps forward and prepare them for modern, scalable deployments – so teams can spend more time building intelligent features and less time managing technical debt. Two Paths – One Goal AI-assisted development, including upgrading and modernizing apps with AI, and building intelligent apps are not the same – but together, they form a powerful foundation. One helps you write and modernize code faster, the other helps you deliver smarter features inside your apps. For Java developers, this means there is support at every step – from idea to implementation to impact. Start Today and Move the Java Community Forward The message from 647 Java professionals is clear: Java developers are ready – and the tools they need to build intelligent applications are already here. If you are a Java developer and have not started your AI journey yet now is the right time. You do not need to become an AI expert. You do not need to change your language, tools, or working style. Modern Java frameworks and libraries like Spring AI, LangChain4j, and the MCP Java SDK are designed to work the way you already build – while making it easier to add intelligence, automation, and smart experiences to your applications. You can start with what you know – and grow into what is next: aka.ms/spring-ai and aka.ms/langchain4j. To Java Ecosystem Leaders We also want to speak directly to those shaping the Java ecosystem – community leaders, experienced developers, and technical influencers. Your role is more important than ever. We invite you to: Show what is possible – share real examples of how AI features can be integrated into Java applications with minimal friction. Promote best practices – use meetups, blogs, workshops, and developer forums to spread practical guidance and patterns that others can follow. Improve the experience – contribute documentation, examples, and even code to help close the gaps developers face when starting their AI journeys. Push frameworks forward – help identify and implement missing features that can simplify Java + AI integration and speed up real-world adoption. This is not just about tools – it is about people helping people move forward. Many of you already helped make this research possible – by spreading the word on LinkedIn, sharing the survey, and encouraging others to contribute. Your support made a difference. And now, these findings belong to the entire Java ecosystem – so we can act on them together. To the Java Developers Who Participated Thank you. Your input – your time, your thoughts, your challenges, your ideas – shaped this entire report. You told us what is working, what is missing, and what you need next. We hope this reflection of your voices is helpful – to you and to the broader Java community. The road ahead is exciting – and Java is ready to lead. AI Learning Resources for Java App Developers Azure AI Services documentation Azure AI Services quick starts – like Chat Completions and Use Your Data Build Enterprise Agents using Java and Spring OpenAI RAG with Java, LangChain4j and Quarkus Spring AI Learn how to build effective agents with Spring AI Spring AI reference documentation Prompt Engineering Techniques with Spring AI Spring AI GitHub repo Spring AI examples Spring AI updates The Seamless Path for Spring Developer to the World of Generative AI LangChain4j Supercharge your Java application with the power of LLMs LangChain4j GitHub repo LangChain4j Examples Quarkus LangChain4j Quarkus LangChain4j Workshop LangChain4j updatesJDConf 2025: Announcing Keynote Speaker and Exciting Sessions on Java, Cloud, and AI
Microsoft JDConf 2025 is rapidly approaching and promises to be the must-attend event for Java developers, particularly those interested in the latest advancements in Java, Cloud and AI. This year, the conference will feature over 22 sessions and more than 10 hours of live streaming content for global audience, along with additional on-demand sessions available from April 9 to 10. The spotlight this year is on integrating AI into your development workflow with tools like Copilot, showcasing how these advancements are revolutionizing the coding landscape. Whether you are exploring application modernization, leveraging AI for intelligent apps, or optimizing Java deployments, JDConf has sessions for every interest. Code the future with AI Explore AI-driven Java innovation: Uncover the role of AI in enhancing Java application development on the cloud for greater efficiency and innovation. Livestream for all time zones: Live sessions scheduled to accommodate attendees from around the globe, ensuring no one misses out. Learn from Java experts and innovators: Discover the impact of diversity and open-source innovation in advancing the Java ecosystem. Global networking opportunity: Connect with Java professionals and community leaders worldwide to share knowledge and foster community growth. Free & accessible content: Enjoy all sessions without cost, available live and on-demand for ultimate flexibility. Earn rewards: Join the JDConf experience and earn Microsoft Rewards points. 🌟 RSVP now at JDConf.com !! ⭐ This year’s list of sessions Figure 1: Your quick guide to JDConf 2025: cheat sheet for the keynote and breakout sessions happening across three regions. Do not miss out on planning your perfect conference experience! Technical keynote: Code the future with Java & AI Amanda Silver, Microsoft | Josh Long, Broadcom | Lize Raes, Naboo.ai Join Amanda Silver, CVP and head of product, Microsoft Developer Division, as she takes the stage for the JDConf Opening Keynote, exploring how Java developers can harness the power of AI, cloud, and cutting-edge tools to accelerate development. From Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot to Cloud services, Amanda will showcase how Cloud and AI are transforming the developer experience, enabling teams to go from code to production faster than ever. She’ll also dive into the latest advancements in Java technologies, Microsoft's deep investments in the Java ecosystem, and the company's ongoing commitment to open-source innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to discover how Microsoft is empowering Java developers in the AI era! Session summaries by region Americas live stream - April 9, 8:30am – 12:30pm PDT Spring Boot: Bootiful Spring Boot: A DOGumentary by Josh Long will dive into Spring Boot 3.x and Java 21, exploring AI, modularity, and powerful optimizations like virtual threads, GraalVM, and AppCDS. AI Dev Experience: Boosting AI Developer Experience with Quarkus, LangChain4j, and Azure OpenAI by Daniel Oh will demonstrate how this trio streamlines development and powers intelligent apps. Spring AI: How to Build Agents with Spring AI by Adib Saikali will showcase building intelligent AI agents, covering key patterns like self-editing memory, task orchestration, & collaborative multi-agent systems. Jakarta EE 12: What Comes After Jakarta EE 11? Reza Rahman and Emily Jiang will share roadmap, contribution pathways, and key updates, including Security, Concurrency, Messaging, and new APIs. Deployment: Production Best Practices: Go from Dev to Delivered and Stay There by Mark Heckler will take Java apps from development to production with a focus on CI/CD, containerization, infrastructure as code, and cloud deployment. Cloud-native: Java Cloud-Native Shoot-Out: InstantOn vs CRaC vs Native Image by Yee-Kang Chang and Rich Hagarty will compare three emerging Java technologies; Liberty InstantOn, OpenJDK CRaC, and Native Image to determine which best supports fast start-up times and low resource usage in your cloud-native apps. AI-Driven Testing: Test Smarter, Not Harder: AI-Driven Test Development by Loiane Groner will demo how AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot enhance TDD through automated test generation and improved test coverage, even for legacy code. Asia-Pacific live stream – April 10, 10:00am-1:30pm SGT LLMs integration: Building LLM Apps in Java with LangChain4j and Jakarta EE by Bazlur Rahman and Syed M Shaaf will demonstrates how to integrate large language models (LLMs) into Java apps, including techniques like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and embedding databases. Java Modernization: Modernize Java Apps Using GitHub Copilot Upgrade Assistant for Java by Nick Zhu will show how this tool can help modernize Java apps by automating refactoring, managing dependencies, and resolving version conflicts. Automated Refactoring: The State of AI in Large Scale Automated Refactoring by Jonathan Schneider will show how OpenRewrite’s Lossless Semantic Tree enhances AI-driven refactoring for accurate decision-making. Java Modernization: Cloud Migration of Java Applications Using Various Tools and Techniqueby Yoshio Terada will demo modernizing legacy apps with tools like VS Code, GitHub Copilot, and Azure Migrate. Java & AI: AI for Java Developers by Dan Vega will introduce AI for Java developers, covering machine learning, deep learning, and practical AI implementations such as chatbots, recommendation systems, and sentiment analysis. Hyperscale PaaS: Spring, Quarkus, Tomcat, JBoss EAP - Hyperscale PaaS for Any Java App by Haixia Cheng and Edward Burns will demo how to deploy any Java appson Azure App Service. Buildpacks: Paketo Buildpacks: The Best Way to Build Java Container Images? by Anthony Dahanne and David O'Sullivan will explore the benefits of buildpacks for Java containerization, comparing them with traditional Dockerfile-based approaches. Europe, Middle East and Africa - April 10, 9:00am – 12:30pm GMT Java 25: Explore The Hidden Gems of Java 25 with Mohamed Taman as he uncovers key Java SE features, updates, and fixes that will simplify migration to new Java and enhance your daily development workflow. GitHub Copilot: Use GitHub Copilot in your favorite Java IDEs by Julia Kordick and Brian Benz will show how to maximize productivity with GitHub Copilot’s latest features in IntelliJ, VS Code, and Eclipse. LangChain4j: AI-Powered Development: Hands-On Techniques for Immediate Impact by Lize Raes will explore AI tools like Cursor, Devin, and GitHub Workspace to help developers accelerate workflows and embrace AI-driven coding practices. Data and AI: Powering Spring AI with RAG and NoSQL by Theo van Kraay will demo how integrating Cosmos DB as vector store with Spring AI enables scalable, intelligent and high performing apps. Spring Security: Passkeys, One-Time Tokens: Passwordless Spring Security by Daniel Garnier-Moiroux dives into latest passwordless authentication methods in Spring Security with real-world implementation demos. Virtual Threads: Virtual Threads in Action with Jakarta EE Core Profile by Daniel Kec explores Helidon 4, the first Jakarta EE Core Profile runtime built on a pure Virtual Thread-based web server. Web apps: Simplifying Web App Development with HTMX and Hypermedia by Frederik Hahne shows how HTMX and modern template engines simplify Java web development by reducing reliance on complex single-page apps. Register and attend to earn rewards 🚀 Join the JDConf Experience and Earn Microsoft Rewards! 🚀 The first 300 attendees to check-in live for one of the JDConf - America, Europe or Asia - will receive 5,000 Microsoft Rewards points. How to Participate: Attendance Rewards: For your check-in to be counted you will need to do one of the following on the day of the event: Go to the JDConf Event details page on the Reactor website, Sign in with your Microsoft account (top right corner) and then check-in on the right-hand side, or Click the Join live stream link in the confirmation or reminder e-mail you receive to the Microsoft account e-mail address you registered with, or Click the link in the calendar reminder email, you will see the option to add the event to your calendar in your Microsoft account confirmation email. Points Distribution: Microsoft Rewards points will be added to the participants' Microsoft accounts within 60 days following the event. To earn points, you must use an email that is associated with a Microsoft account. You will receive an e-mail from the Microsoft Reactor team if you are eligible and earn the Microsoft Rewards. Points can be used towards many different rewards, check out Microsoft rewards to see what rewards are available in your region. Terms | Privacy RSVP now - engage, learn, and code the future with AI! Do not miss out – RSVP now and be part of the future of Java at JDConf 2025! We are calling all Java enthusiasts and developers around the globe to join us for a two-day event on April 9 and 10. This is more than just a conference. It is a chance to engage with the community, learn from the experts, and help drive Java technology forward. Get ready to dive into deep Java insights, connect with fellow developers, and discover the latest innovations that are shaping the world of Java. Let us gather to celebrate our passion for Java, share knowledge, and explore new possibilities together. Make sure you are there to push the boundaries of what Java can do. RSVP now at JDConf.com and let's make JDConf 2025 a milestone event for Java and its community. See you there! ⭐ RSVP now at JDConf.com 🌟Meet First Round of Speakers for Microsoft JDConf 2025: Code the future with Java and AI
We are excited to share the initial lineup of speakers and sessions for Microsoft JDConf 2025, taking place on April 9-10. Whether you are an experienced developer or just starting out, JDConf offers valuable opportunities to explore the latest advancements in Java, Cloud and AI technologies, gain practical insights, and connect with Java experts from across the globe. Secure your spot now at jdconf.com. Here are the initial sessions and speakers who will provide valuable insights into Java, Cloud, and AI. Java 25. Explore The Hidden Gems of Java 25 with Mohamed Taman as he uncovers key Java SE features, updates, and fixes that will simplify migration to new Java and enhance your daily development workflow. Virtual Threads. Virtual Threads in Action with Jakarta EE Core Profile by Daniel Kec will explore Helidon 4, the first Jakarta EE Core Profile runtime built on a pure Virtual Thread-based web server. Spring Boot. Bootiful Spring Boot: A DOGumentary by Josh Long will dive into Spring Boot 3.x and Java 21, exploring AI, modularity, and powerful optimizations like virtual threads, GraalVM, and AppCDS. Jakarta EE 12. What Comes After Jakarta EE 11? Reza Rahman and Emily Jiang will share roadmap, contribution pathways, and key updates, including Security, Concurrency, Messaging, and new APIs. GitHub Copilot. Use GitHub Copilot in your favorite Java IDEs by Julia Kordick and Brian Benz will show how to maximize productivity with GitHub Copilot’s latest features in IntelliJ, VS Code, and Eclipse. AI Dev Experience. Boosting AI Developer Experience with Quarkus, LangChain4j, and Azure OpenAI by Daniel Oh will demonstrate how this trio streamlines development and powers intelligent applications. Spring AI. How to Build Agents with Spring AI by Adib Saikali will showcase building intelligent AI agents, covering key patterns like self-editing memory, task orchestration, & collaborative multi-agent systems. LangChain4j. AI-Powered Development: Hands-On Techniques for Immediate Impact by Lize Raes will explore AI tools like Cursor, Devin, and GitHub Workspace to help developers accelerate workflows and embrace AI-driven coding practices. Data and AI. Powering Spring AI with RAG and NoSQL by Theo van Kraay will demo how integrating Cosmos DB as vector store with Spring AI enables scalable, intelligent and high performing applications. Automated Refactoring. The State of AI in Large Scale Automated Refactoring by Jonathan Schneider will show how OpenRewrite’s Lossless Semantic Tree enhances AI-driven refactoring for accurate decision-making. Java Modernization. Cloud Migration of Java Applications Using Various Tools and Technique by Yoshio Terada will demo modernizing legacy apps with tools like VS Code, GitHub Copilot, and Azure Migrate. AI-Driven Testing. Test Smarter, Not Harder: AI-Driven Test Development by Loiane Groner will demo how AI-powered tools like GitHub Copilot enhance TDD through automated test generation and improved test coverage, even for legacy code. RSVP Now Join us at Microsoft JDConf 2025 and code the future with Java, Cloud and AI. RSVP today at jdconf.com to secure your spot. Your registration grants access to live streams, on-demand sessions, and a collection of valuable resources. Stay tuned for updates on more engaging sessions and inspiring speakers. Connect with a community shaping tomorrow’s technology and gain practical insights from industry leaders. Follow the conversation using #JDConf, and visit jdconf.com for the latest agenda and schedule. Secure your spot now at jdconf.com!
Seamlessly Integrating Azure KeyVault with Jarsigner for Enhanced Security
Dive into the world of enhanced security with our step-by-step guide on integrating Azure KeyVault with Jarsigner. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will walk you through the process of securely signing your Java applications using Azure's robust security features. Learn how to set up, execute, and verify digital signatures with ease, ensuring your applications are protected in an increasingly digital world. Join us to boost your security setup now!Build and Modernize Intelligent Java apps at Scale
Java on Microsoft Azure Java customers and developers are constantly exploring how they can bring their Java applications to the cloud. Some are looking to modernize existing applications, while others are building new cloud-native solutions from scratch. With these changes, they need a platform that lets them keep working the way they know, without sacrificing control or performance. That’s where Microsoft Azure comes in. As a company, Microsoft is committed to making Java developers as efficient and productive as possible, empowering them to use any tool, framework, and application server on any operating system. Microsoft Azure makes it easy to work with the tools and frameworks Java developers already know and love. Whether using IntelliJ, Eclipse, or VS Code, or managing dependencies with Maven or Gradle, developers can keep using their preferred setup. Azure supports trusted Java application servers and popular open-source tools like Spring Boot, JBoss EAP, and WebLogic, making the transition to the cloud seamless and natural. Scaling on Azure is designed with simplicity and security in mind. Developers can count on built-in tools for monitoring, automation, data support, and caching, along with robust security features. With Azure’s flexible services they can scale confidently, manage costs, and build resilient applications that meet business needs. Azure provides everything Java developers need to build and modernize their applications at scale, letting them do so on their own terms. Tooling for Java app migration and modernization priorities Moving your Java applications to the cloud is easier with the right tools. Azure offers a full set of solutions for every type of migration, whether you are rehosting, re-platforming, refactoring, or rearchitecting. These tools work together to help you transition smoothly, allowing you to work faster, more efficiently, and with greater insight. With Azure, you can achieve meaningful results for your business as you modernize your applications. Azure Migrate and Partner-built Solutions Azure Migrate is a key resource in this process. It provides a holistic view of your server and application estate and generates a cloud-readiness report. With app centricity, you can now assess applications at a portfolio level rather than server by server. This makes it easier for IT decision-makers to plan migrations on a larger scale while aligning with business priorities. In addition to Azure Migrate, you can leverage several partner-built solutions such as CAST, Unify, Dr. Migrate, and others to support additional use cases and scenarios. Azure Migrate application and code assessment For developers, Azure Migrate’s app and code assessment tool (AppCAT) offers in-depth code scanning for Java applications. With this tool, you can assess code changes needed to run your apps in the cloud right from within your preferred terminals, like Bash. GitHub Copilot Chat integration further simplifies the planning process, making it easy to explore modernization options through a conversational approach. AppCAT is especially useful for detailed assessments for refactoring and rearchitecting. GitHub Copilot upgrade assistant for Java A major advancement in this toolkit is the new GitHub Copilot upgrade assistant for Java. Upgrading Java code, runtimes, frameworks, and dependencies can be time-consuming, but with the upgrade assistant, you can streamline the process significantly. Start with your local Java project, receive an AI-powered upgrade strategy, and let Copilot handle the bulk of the work. This powerful tool helps you modernize faster, allowing you to focus on building intelligent applications at scale with confidence. Ready to save time upgrading Java? You can apply for the waitlist to the Technical Preview right here – aka.ms/GHCP-for-Java. This early access is open to a limited number of customers, so we encourage you to sign up soon and share your feedback! Deploy and Scale Java Apps on Azure The Java ecosystem is diverse, encompassing technologies like Java SE, Jakarta EE, Spring, and various application servers. Whatever your Java workload – whether building a monolithic app or a cloud-native microservice – Azure provides a comprehensive platform to support it. Azure offers multiple deployment paths to help meet your specific project goals. For those migrating existing Java applications, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) options like Azure Virtual Machines allow you to lift and shift applications without significant re-architecture. Meanwhile, container options, such as Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps and Azure Red Hat OpenShift, make it easier to manage Java applications in containers. Fully managed platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offerings, like Azure App Service, provide out-of-the-box scalability, DevOps integration, and automation for streamlined management. The following diagram shows recommended Azure services for every Java application type deployed as source or binaries: The following diagram shows the recommended Azure services for every Java application type deployed as containers: Building on Azure's reputation as a versatile platform for various applications, we now turn our focus to three specific offerings that demonstrate this flexibility. Today, we highlight JBoss EAP on Azure App Service, Java on Azure Container Apps, and WebSphere Liberty on Azure Kubernetes Service and how to quickly bring your apps to production with Landing Zone Accelerator. We will also walk you through how to build and modernize intelligent Java apps at scale with the latest AI tools and models. JBoss EAP on Azure App Service Azure App Service offers a fully managed platform with specific enhancements for Java, making it an excellent choice for running enterprise Java applications. Recently, several updates have been introduced to bring even greater value to Java developers using JBoss EAP on App Service: Reduced Licensing Costs: Licensing fees for JBoss EAP on App Service have been cut by over 60%, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. Free Tier Availability: A new free tier is available for those interested in testing the service without an upfront cost, providing an easy entry point for trials and evaluation. Affordable Paid Tiers: Lower-cost paid tiers of App Service Plan for JBoss EAP have been introduced, catering to businesses seeking a cost-effective, production-ready environment. Bring Your Own License Support: Soon, customers will be able to apply existing Red Hat volume licenses to further reduce operational costs, adding flexibility for organizations already invested in Red Hat JBoss EAP. These updates provide significant savings, making JBoss EAP on App Service a smart choice for those looking to optimize costs while running Java applications on a reliable, managed platform. Java on Azure Container Apps Azure Container Apps is a popular serverless platform for Java developers who want to deploy and scale containerized applications with minimal management overhead. Designed for microservices, APIs, and event-driven workloads, Azure Container Apps makes it simple to scale applications from zero up to millions of requests, adapting dynamically to meet real-time demand. Azure Container Apps includes several features tailored specifically for Java: Managed Components for Java: With built-in Spring Cloud services like Service Registry and Config Server, managing Java applications is straightforward. These components simplify service registration, discovery, and configuration management. Enhanced Java Monitoring: Azure Monitor provides Java-specific insights, giving developers visibility into their applications and enabling proactive management with detailed metrics. Effortless Scaling: Container Apps can scale down to zero during periods of low demand and scale out as traffic grows, helping optimize costs. The platform also supports GPU-enabled workloads, perfect for AI-powered Java applications. This fully managed platform supports a range of Java frameworks and runtimes, from Spring Boot to Quarkus to Open Liberty and beyond. With built-in DevOps, secure networking, role-based access, and pay-as-you-go pricing, Azure Container Apps offers a powerful and flexible foundation to build, deploy, and monitor any Java application type. WebSphere Liberty on Azure Kubernetes Service IBM's WebSphere is one of the most widely used middleware platforms globally, especially in large enterprises. Many organizations rely on WebSphere Traditional applications, which have strong market penetration in enterprise environments. As IBM focuses on cloud-native solutions, it is encouraging organizations to migrate from WebSphere Traditional to WebSphere Liberty - a more modern, cloud-native Java runtime. With Azure Kubernetes Service, this migration becomes straightforward and manageable, allowing organizations to bring existing WebSphere Traditional apps into a more flexible, scalable environment. Why Azure Kubernetes Service? AKS provides a powerful platform for running containerized Java applications without the complexity of setting up and maintaining Kubernetes yourself. It’s a fully managed Kubernetes service, integrated end-to-end with Azure’s foundational infrastructure, CI/CD, registry, monitoring, and managed services. Because AKS is based on vanilla Kubernetes, all Kubernetes tools work, and there’s no risk of lock-in. AKS offers global availability, enterprise-grade security, automated upgrades, and compliance, making it a reliable choice for organizations aiming to modernize WebSphere applications. Competitive pricing and cost optimization make AKS even more attractive. Why Transform to WebSphere Liberty? WebSphere Liberty, along with Open Liberty, offers compatibility with WebSphere Traditional, creating an easy migration path. Liberty is a lightweight, modular runtime that’s better suited for cloud-native applications. It reduces resource costs, requiring less memory and CPU than WebSphere Traditional and has quicker startup times. Liberty also embraces modern standards, like Jakarta EE Core Profile and MicroProfile, making it ideal for cloud-native applications. Organizations can even re-purpose existing WebSphere Traditional licenses, significantly reducing migration costs. Running WebSphere Liberty on Azure Kubernetes Service is simple and flexible. IBM and Microsoft have certified Liberty on AKS, providing a reliable path for enterprises to move their WebSphere applications to the cloud. With a solution template available in the Azure Marketplace, you can deploy WebSphere Liberty on AKS in a few clicks. This setup works with both new and existing AKS clusters, as well as any container registry, allowing you to deploy quickly and scale as needed. By combining WebSphere Liberty with AKS, you gain the agility of containers and Kubernetes, along with the robust features of a cloud-native runtime on a trusted enterprise platform. Build Right and Fast! Build Your Java or Spring Apps Environment: Development, Test, or Production in Just 15-30 Minutes with Landing Zone Accelerator! To ensure the scalability and quality of your cloud journey, we re-introduce Landing Zone Accelerators, specifically designed for Azure app destinations such as App Service, Azure Container Apps, and Azure Kubernetes Service. An accelerator allows you to establish secure, complaint, and scalable development, test, or production environments within 15-30 minutes. Adhering to Azure's best practices and embedding security by default, a Landing Zone Accelerator ensures that your cloud transition is not only swift but also robust and scalable. It paves the way for both application and platform teams to thrive in the cloud environment. From realizing cost efficiency to streamlining your migration and modernization journey to ensuring the scalability of your cloud operations, our goal is to demonstrate how your cloud transition can drive innovation, and efficiency, and accelerate business value. The Landing Zone Accelerators for App Service, Azure Container Apps, and Azure Kubernetes Service represent an authoritative, proven, and prescriptive infrastructure-as-code solution, designed to assist enterprise customers in establishing a robust environment for deploying Java, Spring, and polyglot apps. It not only expedites the deployment process but also provides a comprehensive design framework, allowing for the clear planning and designing of Azure environments based on established standards. Build Intelligent Java Apps at Scale Today, many enterprise applications are built with Java. As AI grows in popularity and delivers greater business outcomes, Java developers wonder how to integrate it with their apps. Python is popular for AI - particularly for model building, deploying and fine tuning LLMs, and data handling - but moving an app to a new language can be complex and costly. Instead, Java developers can use Azure to combine their Java apps with AI, building intelligent apps without needing to master Python. Azure makes it simple to bring AI into your existing Java applications. Many customers are already using the Azure platform to add intelligence to their Java apps, delivering more value to their businesses. Whether starting fresh or modernizing existing systems, Azure provides the tools needed to build powerful, intelligent applications that scale. Modernize and Build New Intelligent Apps with Azure. Wherever you are in your cloud journey, Azure helps you modernize and build intelligent apps. Azure offers app platform services, data handling at scale, and AI tools that make it easy to create applications that deliver meaningful business value. Intelligent apps can drive growth, amplify team capabilities, and improve productivity. With Azure, you can bring your Java apps into the future and stay ahead of the competition. The Right Tools for Intelligent Java Apps. Building intelligent applications requires a strong foundation. Azure provides essential services like a robust cloud platform, scalable data solutions, and AI tools, including pretrained models and responsible AI practices. These tools ensure your apps are efficient, scalable, and aligned with best practices. Azure offers several key services for this: Azure AI Studio: A one-stop platform for experimenting and deploying AI solutions. It provides tools for model benchmarking, solution testing, and monitoring, making it easy to develop use cases like customer segmentation and predictive maintenance. Azure OpenAI Service: With access to advanced AI models like GPT-4, this service is ideal for content generation, summarization, and semantic search. Build chatbots, create marketing content, or add AI-driven features to your Java apps. Azure Machine Learning: An end-to-end platform for building and deploying machine learning models. It supports various use cases such as recommendation systems, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection. MLOps capabilities ensure your models are continuously improved and managed. Azure AI Search: Uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology for powerful search capabilities. Enhance user experience with intelligent search options, helping users quickly find relevant information. Azure Cosmos DB: A globally distributed, multi-model database service ideal for high-performance, low-latency applications. It offers turnkey global distribution, automatic scalability, and integration with other Azure services, making it a strong choice for intelligent apps that handle large amounts of data. Azure Database for PostgreSQL with PGVector: This managed PostgreSQL service now includes the PGVector extension, designed for handling vector embeddings in AI applications. It’s a valuable tool for applications requiring fast, similarity-based searches and supports applications involving recommendation engines, semantic search, and personalization. Azure AI Infrastructure: Provides high-performance infrastructure for AI workloads. Whether training large models or performing real-time inference, Azure’s AI infrastructure meets demanding needs. Get Started with AI in Java. If you are a Java app developer, now is a great time to start integrating AI into your apps. Spring developers can use Spring AI for quick integration, and developers using Quarkus or Jakarta EE or any other app type can take advantage of LangChain4j. You can also use Microsoft Azure AI client libraries for Java. No matter what your framework is, Azure has the tools to help you add intelligence to your applications. Meet the Java team at the Microsoft Ignite 2024 Come meet the Java team at Microsoft Ignite 2024! Join our breakout session, "Java on Azure: Modernize and scale enterprise Java applications on Azure" BRK147, for a close look at the newest ways to build, scale, and modernize Java apps on Azure. In this session, our engineers and product experts will share the latest updates and tools for Java developers. You’ll learn about cost-saving options, new cloud tools, and how to add smart features to your apps. This is a session for all Java developers, whether you're moving apps to the cloud or building cloud-native apps from scratch. Everyone can join - either in person at Ignite or virtually from anywhere in the world. The virtual option is free, so you can attend without leaving your desk. Don’t miss the chance to connect with the Java team, ask questions, and get tips to make your Java apps succeed on Azure! Start Today! Join Us at Java + AI Events Worldwide. Sign Up for upcoming Java and AI events like JDConf 2025 and JavaOne 2025. You’ll also find our developer advocates sharing insights and tips at Java conferences and events around the world. Begin framing your app migration plans with resources to guide you through each step. Get started here – aka.ms/Start-Java. Explore the docs and deploy your first Java or Spring app in the cloud. Follow the quick steps here – aka.ms/Java-Hub. Use our tools and information to build a plan and show your leaders the benefits of Java app modernization. Get the details here – azure.com/Java. Start building, planning, and exploring Azure for Java today!Spring I/O 2024 - Join Microsoft and Broadcom to Celebrate All Things Spring and Azure!
Get ready for the ultimate Spring conference in Barcelona from May 30-31! Connect with over 1200 attendees, enjoy 70 expert speakers, and engage in 60 talks and 7 hands-on workshops. Microsoft Azure (as a Gold Sponsor) and VMware Tanzu (as a Platinum sponsor) bring you in-depth sessions on Spring and AI development, a dynamic full-day workshop, and an interactive booth experience. Learn, network, and enhance your Java skills with the latest tools and frameworks. Don't miss out on this exciting event!Discover How App Modernization on Azure Enables Intelligent App Innovation
Legacy applications, built on outdated technologies, are increasingly becoming a roadblock for businesses in the fast-paced digital world. They struggle to manage growing data volumes and user traffic, posing scalability challenges that can lead to performance bottlenecks and system failures.
