(Yicai) Sept. 8 -- Chinese companies are at the global forefront of accelerating the large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence, according to US computing giant International Business Machines' general manager for the Asia-Pacific region.

AI has become an "engine" for enhancing firms' productivity, Hans Dekkers said at the IBM China Enterprise AI Summit in the Chinese city of Yantai on Sept. 5. The New York-based company is adjusting its operating strategy in the Chinese market accordingly, shifting from focusing on hardware and infrastructure services to data integration and AI-driven offerings, he added.

China is no longer just an important infrastructure market, but also an innovation market driven by data and AI, Dekkers said in an interview with Yicai on the sidelines of the event. The Asia-Pacific region is one of IBM's four key global markets with enormous growth potential, he pointed out.

IBM is investing more in China to continue deepening its local presence, Dekkers noted. By providing enterprise solutions with open platforms and open-source technologies, the firm will serve as a bridge between Chinese and the Western technological development, and help Chinese companies access the global market, he added.

During the summit, Chen Xudong, chairman and GM of IBM China, launched the AI In-depth Cultivation initiative, noting that the company will focus on regional markets and ecosystem building, specifically targeting digital transformation and overseas expansion of private manufacturers.

IBM's main customers in China have gradually shifted from financial industry clients to private companies, many of which are in manufacturing, Dekkers pointed out.

The scale, efficiency, and development speed of China's manufacturing industry are remarkable, Dekkers said, adding that the sector is also one of IBM's most important growth areas in the country, especially in smart manufacturing, data integration, and AI applications.

China's manufacturing industry has moved into an AI phase driven by data from device connectivity and data integration, according to Dekkers. Chinese manufacturers have a strong appetite for "going global," bringing new business opportunities for IBM, he added.

“AI agents will be a very large area, and many companies are interested in it,” noted Hou Miao, GM of IBM China and its technology division. “IBM focuses on AI agent deployment and creating practical value for firms.”

IBM predicts that by 2028, 15 percent of companies’ routine decisions will be automatically generated by AI agents.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev