The US heavyweight IBM Corp launched its enterprise-ready artificial intelligence and data platform watsonx in China, in its latest push to help local companies multiply the impact of AI across businesses amid the generative AI boom.

Via this platform, IBM said it hopes to gather technology companies, industry customers and partners from the local market, building a strong ecosystem that aligns with the local market and industry characteristics.

Chen Xudong, chairman and general manager of IBM Greater China, said on Tuesday that a recent survey by IBM of more than 3000 CEOs worldwide shows that "making AI a core productivity" is an urgent need for business leaders.

"Most CEOs believe that having advanced generative AI can enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. However, technological, talent and cultural challenges hinder their progress," Chen said.

What businesses really need are tailored generative AI and models catering to their unique business needs and own data, Chen added.

That is what IBM watsonx aims to help deliver. The next-generation AI platform for building and tuning foundation models, generative AI and machine learning systems.

Generative AI refers to computer algorithms that produce new text, images, code, video or audio in a humanlike fashion. Generative AI is a relatively new technology and many companies still lack the expertise needed to create, train and run the models. According to IBM, enterprise clients without a history of AI experience typically have many questions about generative AI.

To support those questions, IBM Consulting is creating a Center for Excellence to support generative AI efforts.