Intel launched Xeon Scalable processors designed for modern data center AI and machine learning workloads.

Intel on Tuesday debuted the latest generation of its Xeon server chip family based on the Skylake architecture. The company positioned the Xeon Scalable processors as supporting a range of use cases from cloud computing to artificial intelligence, claiming they represent the "biggest data center advancement" the industry has seen in a decade.

According to Intel, the Xeon Scalable processors deliver up to 1.65 times higher performance power than the company's previous generation of chips. The system aligns closely with Intel's data storage, networking and memory products, forming an integrated platform designed to strengthen the company's datacenter position.

The launch represents part of Intel's broader pushback against rival chipmaker AMD, which had recently rolled out its latest Zen-based CPUs. More significantly, it reflects an overall expansion of Intel's datacenter efforts. The company reported that more than 500,000 Xeon Scalable processors have already sold as part of its early ship program to major cloud players including Google.