Abstract: An approach is provided for upgrading containerized applications in cluster(s) in a container orchestration system. State information about the containerized applications is identified and analyzed. Based on the state information, an upgrade path for an upgrade of the containerized applications is determined. Using an artificial intelligence (AI) based container orchestration platform upgrade engine that employs continuous learning for upgrading data and algorithmic models to upgrade containers, a recommendation is generated that the upgrade be a full upgrade or a partial upgrade. A confirmation of the full upgrade or the partial upgrade is received from a user. Components for the full upgrade or the partial upgrade are created. Using the upgrade path and based on the full upgrade or the partial upgrade, the upgrade is performed.