In this study, we present a solution for the modernization of legacy applications, an area of code generation where LLM-based multi-agent systems are proving essential for complex multi-phased tasks. Legacy applications often contain deprecated components that create compatibility, security, and reliability risks, but high resource costs make companies hesitate to update. We take a step forward to integrate an LLM-based multi-agent system as part of a legacy web application update to provide a cost-effective solution to update legacy applications autonomously. We propose a multi-agent system named a Verifying Agent Pipeline Updater (VAPU), which is designed to update code files in phases while simulating different roles in a software development team. In our previous study, we evaluated the system for legacy version updates by using six legacy web application view files by resulting errors and accomplished requirements. This study extends the previous evaluation of a multi-agent pipeline system by extending the evaluation of VAPU from a single LLM to five LLMs and using the temperature parameter in both 0 to 1 settings. Additionally, we tested the system with 20 open-source Python GitHub projects. The results of the evaluation were compared to Zero-Shot Learning (ZSL) and One-Shot Learning (OSL) prompts. The extended evaluation of VAPU showed that particularly in a low-temperature VAPU can get similar level of error count compared to the ZSL/OSL prompts but with a higher level of fulfilled requirements, depending on the LLM. VAPU showed up to 22.5% increase in the succeeding Python file update requirements compared to ZSL/OSL prompts. The study indicates that an LLM-based multi-agent system is a capable solution to update components of a legacy application autonomously.
Valtteri Ala-Salmi, Z. Rasheed, Malik Abdul Sami et al.· arXiv.org· 3 citations
We present a large language models (LLMs) based multi-agent system to automate the refactoring of Haskell codebases. The multi-agent system consists of specialized agents performing tasks such as context analysis, refactoring, validation, and testing. Refactoring improvements are using metrics such as cyclomatic complexity, run-time, and memory allocation. Experimental evaluations conducted on Haskell codebases demonstrate improvements in code quality. Cyclomatic complexity was reduced by 13.64% and 47.06% in the respective codebases. Memory allocation improved by 4.17% and 41.73%, while runtime efficiency increased by up to 50%. These metrics highlight the systems ability to optimize Haskells functional paradigms while maintaining correctness and scalability. Results show reductions in complexity and performance enhancements across codebases. The integration of LLMs based multi-agent system enables precise task execution and inter-agent collaboration, addressing the challenges of refactoring in functional programming. This approach aims to address the challenges of refactoring functional programming languages through distributed and modular systems.
Shahbaz Siddeeq, Z. Rasheed, Malik Abdul Sami et al.· arXiv.org· 1 citation
The use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for autonomous code generation is gaining attention in emerging technologies. As LLM capabilities expand, they offer new possibilities such as code refactoring, security enhancements, and legacy application upgrades. Many outdated web applications pose security and reliability challenges, yet companies continue using them due to the complexity and cost of upgrades. To address this, we propose an LLM-based multi-agent system that autonomously upgrades legacy web applications to the latest versions. The system distributes tasks across multiple phases, updating all relevant files. To evaluate its effectiveness, we employed Zero-Shot Learning (ZSL) and One-Shot Learning (OSL) prompts, applying identical instructions in both cases. The evaluation involved updating view files and measuring the number and types of errors in the output. For complex tasks, we counted the successfully met requirements. The experiments compared the proposed system with standalone LLM execution, repeated multiple times to account for stochastic behavior. Results indicate that our system maintains context across tasks and agents, improving solution quality over the base model in some cases. This study provides a foundation for future model implementations in legacy code updates. Additionally, findings highlight LLMs' ability to update small outdated files with high precision, even with basic prompts. The source code is publicly available on GitHub: https://github.com/alasalm1/Multi-agent-pipeline.
Valtteri Ala-Salmi, Z. Rasheed, Malik Abdul Sami et al.· International Conference on...· 4 citations
Organisations are examining how generative AI can support their operational work and decision-making processes. This study investigates how employees in a energy company understand AI adoption and identify areas where AI and LLMs-based agentic workflows could assist daily activities. Data was collected in four weeks through sixteen semi-structured interviews across nine departments, supported by internal documents and researcher observations. The analysis identified areas where employees positioned AI as useful, including reporting work, forecasting, data handling, maintenance-related tasks, and anomaly detection. Participants also described how GenAI and LLM-based tools could be introduced through incremental steps that align with existing workflows. The study provides an overview view of AI adoption in the energy sector and offers a structured basis for identifying entry points for practical implementation and comparative research across industries.
Malik Abdul Sami, Z. Rasheed, Meri Olenius et al.· 0 citations
This paper presents MARARE, a real-time multi-agent system that transforms meeting dialogues into structured software requirements. One agent interacts with participants, while background agents extract and verify requirements collaboratively. Evaluation using the LLM-as-a-Judge method across five meetings (5–8 minutes each) shows a mean coverage of 80.0 ± 11.2 % (mean ± SD), semantic similarity of 0.86 ± 0.05, and hallucination rate of 14.3 ± 6.2 %. Preliminary results indicate performance differences across LLMs, suggesting that model choice influences coverage, consistency, and hallucination rates.
Malik Abdul Sami, Gessé Evangelista, Kai-Kristian Kemell et al.· AGENT@ICSE· 0 citations
Context: Organizations adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) face challenges in eliciting and analyzing requirements that align with strategic objectives, especially when human oversight and iterative refinement are needed. Large Language Models (LLMs)-based Multi-agent systems provide a potential solution by supporting structured and collaborative Requirements Engineering (RE) processes for AI adoption planning.
Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate whether a multi-agent system, built on LLMs and supported by human input, can assist in requirements analysis for AI adoption. Method: We used a mixed-method approach: (i) designed and developed a multi-agent system to support the generation and prioritization of requirements for AI adoption, (ii) conducted multiple case studies with four companies to evaluate the system, and (iii) collected data through post-session questionnaires from nine participants and follow-up interviews, one per company.
Results: Questionnaire and interview findings together indicate that the system may assist in identifying relevant and goal-aligned requirements. Seven participants considered the generated requirements relevant, and six found them aligned with organizational goals. Participants noted that iterative feedback improved completeness and feasibility, often within two feedback rounds. Both data sources show that human input was essential to clarify technical details, ensure contextual accuracy, and validate prioritization results. Participants from all companies also identified usability, transparency, and scalability as areas requiring further refinement for broader organizational use.
Conclusions: LLM-based multi-agent systems can support strategic AI planning by enabling iterative refinement with human experts. Future work will include more interviews with stakeholders and adjustments to system features to improve transparency, usability, and scalability.
Malik Abdul Sami, Zheying Zhang, Muhammad Waseem et al.· e-Informatica Software Engin...· 5 citations