New Delhi, Oct. 23 -- Four of the country's five largest offshore services providers have reported an increase in software modernization deals as Fortune companies prepare to automate much of their backend tech work.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Infosys Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, and Wipro Ltd reported a significant uptick in such deals, according to their earnings calls with analysts for the second quarter ended September. Two of the four said artificial intelligence (AI) is expediting software upgrades to automate clients' tech functions.

According to at least one analyst, TCS and Infosys are getting a higher share of such legacy or core modernization deals. These involve replacing or transforming a company's old information technol...