**IBM Launches Lightweight AI Engine for WatsonX.ai**

IBM has unveiled a new "Lightweight Engine" for its WatsonX.ai service, targeting enterprises but also appealing to smaller and mid-sized businesses, especially in fintech. This new engine aims to facilitate secure, in-house generative AI deployment.

Generative AI has been a major driver of tech sector growth in 2024, with large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT leading the charge. However, these models need specialization for critical industries like finance, where accuracy is paramount.

JP Morgan Chase recently adopted ChatGPT for its 60,000 employees, fine-tuning it with internal data to meet security needs. IBM's WatsonX.ai offers both cloud-based and on-premises solutions, making it versatile for industries with stringent data security requirements.

IBM's Savio Rodrigues highlighted the engine's efficiency, stating it helps businesses deploy AI without wasting resources. This flexibility is crucial for sectors like fintech, mining, and blockchain, where security is a top priority.

While IBM's new engine competes with offerings from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, its reduced footprint and efficiency make it a strong contender in the AI space.