Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the cloud computing platform and technology-services business of Amazon.com, Inc. It supplies on-demand computing infrastructure and higher-level software services to startups, enterprises, public-sector organizations, developers, media companies, financial institutions, and other customers worldwide. Rather than requiring customers to purchase and operate all of their own servers and data-center equipment, AWS allows them to obtain resources through the internet and generally pay according to usage, contracted commitments, or service plans. AWS grew out of Amazon's effort to standardize and expose the reusable infrastructure that supported its own retail website. Amazon had developed internal capabilities for storage, computing, databases, networking, and application deployment, and in the early 2000s began offering web services to outside developers. The modern AWS platform took shape in 2006 with the launch of Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). These services helped establish an infrastructure-as-a-service model in which customers could provision storage and virtual servers without building a conventional data center first. The platform has since expanded into a broad portfolio. Core infrastructure includes EC2 virtual machines, Elastic Container Service, Elastic Kubernetes Service, AWS Lambda serverless computing, and networking tools such as Amazon Virtual Private Cloud. Storage and data services include S3, Elastic Block Store, Glacier, and a wide range of relational, NoSQL, in-memory, and analytical databases. AWS also offers security, identity, monitoring, developer tools, content delivery, edge computing, migration, high-performance computing, Internet of Things, and industry-specific solutions. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have become increasingly important to AWS's positioning. Amazon SageMaker provides tools for developing and deploying machine-learning models, while Amazon Bedrock gives developers managed access to generative-AI foundation models and supporting application capabilities. AWS also develops purpose-built silicon, including Graviton processors and Trainium and Inferentia chips, intended to improve the cost and performance of cloud workloads. AWS operates through a global infrastructure of regions, availability zones, data centers, and edge locations. Customers can design systems for resilience, regulatory requirements, latency, and geographic redundancy. The AWS Marketplace extends the platform with third-party software and services, while a large partner network supports consulting, migration, integration, and managed operations. The brand is positioned around breadth, scalability, reliability, security, and a consumption-based operating model. Its customers range from small developers deploying individual applications to multinational corporations running core enterprise workloads. AWS is a separately managed business within Amazon, but its financial results are reported by Amazon rather than through a separately traded company. The supplied industry classification of energy and oil-and-gas companies does not fit the subject; AWS belongs to cloud computing and enterprise information technology.

AWS developed from Amazon's internal technology infrastructure. As Amazon's online retail operation expanded, engineers created reusable services for storage, computing, databases, and application deployment. The company increasingly treated these capabilities as standardized building blocks rather than systems usable only by Amazon's retail business. This approach supported the idea that external developers could rent infrastructure through application programming interfaces instead of purchasing hardware and managing physical facilities. Amazon began introducing web services to outside users in the early 2000s. Reference material places an initial AWS presence in 2002, when the business offered services connected with Amazon's catalog and developer infrastructure. The more consequential transformation occurred in 2006, when Amazon launched S3 and EC2. S3 provided durable, internet-accessible object storage, while EC2 allowed customers to obtain virtual computing capacity on demand. Together they helped popularize cloud infrastructure as a practical alternative to owning fixed server capacity. The early AWS proposition appealed particularly to startups and software developers, who could experiment and scale without large up-front capital expenditure. Over time, AWS added services for networking, databases, application deployment, security, monitoring, content distribution, analytics, and enterprise migration. The platform's architecture allowed customers to combine relatively independent services, while regional infrastructure and availability zones supported high availability and geographic deployment choices. AWS became increasingly important to Amazon's corporate strategy. It extended Amazon's technology expertise into a business serving organizations beyond retail and created recurring usage-based revenue. Amazon expanded AWS's customer and partner ecosystem through training, certifications, consulting relationships, and AWS Marketplace, where third parties distribute software and services compatible with the platform. The company also invested in specialized hardware and global data-center capacity to improve performance, security, and economics. Leadership of the business changed as AWS matured. Andy Jassy led AWS during its formative period and later became Amazon's chief executive. Adam Selipsky succeeded him as AWS chief executive in 2021, and Matt Garman became AWS chief executive in 2024. During this period the business broadened its emphasis from basic infrastructure to data, machine learning, generative AI, custom processors, industry solutions, and privacy-oriented data collaboration. AWS's current scope spans infrastructure as a service, platform services, managed databases, storage, analytics, artificial intelligence, security, edge computing, developer tooling, and third-party software distribution. It remains a brand and operating business within Amazon rather than an independently listed company. The subject should therefore be classified as a cloud-computing corporate brand, not as an energy or oil-and-gas company.

• 2024

  Matt Garman becomes AWS CEO

  [2]AWS CEO leadership announcementaws.amazon.com

  Matt Garman succeeded Adam Selipsky as chief executive of AWS.

• 2023

  Amazon Bedrock introduced

  [7]Amazon.com overviewbritannica.com

  AWS introduced Bedrock to help developers build generative-AI applications using managed foundation models.

• 2021

  Adam Selipsky becomes AWS CEO

  [3]Adam Selipsky to retire as AWS CEOaboutamazon.com

  Adam Selipsky returned to Amazon to lead AWS after Andy Jassy became Amazon chief executive.

• 2006

  Launch of Amazon S3 and Amazon EC2

  [1]Cloud Computing Services — Amazon Web Servicesaws.amazon.com

  AWS introduced object storage through Amazon S3 and on-demand virtual computing through Amazon EC2, establishing the foundation of its cloud infrastructure business.

• 2002

  Early Amazon Web Services offerings

  [7]Amazon.com overviewbritannica.com

  Amazon began offering external web services associated with its technology and developer infrastructure, preceding the modern AWS cloud platform.

A broad, global cloud infrastructure and platform-services provider emphasizing scalable, pay-as-you-go technology, enterprise security, ecosystem breadth, and developer flexibility.

• Cloud computing · 2006

  Amazon EC2

  A service providing resizable virtual computing capacity. Customers can select instance types, operating systems, networking configurations, and pricing models for workloads ranging from development environments to large-scale production applications.

• Cloud storage · 2006

  Amazon S3

  An object-storage service designed for durable storage and retrieval of data at internet scale. It is used for application assets, backups, data lakes, media, archives, and machine-learning data.

• Database services · 2009

  Amazon RDS

  A managed relational-database service that automates or simplifies provisioning, maintenance, backups, scaling, and high-availability configurations for supported database engines.

• Serverless computing · 2014

  AWS Lambda

  An event-driven compute service that runs code without requiring customers to provision or manage servers. It is commonly used for APIs, automation, data processing, and application back ends.

• Machine learning · 2017

  Amazon SageMaker

  A managed environment for preparing data, developing machine-learning models, training them, and deploying them for inference and production use.

• Generative artificial intelligence · 2023

  Amazon Bedrock

  A managed generative-AI service that provides access to foundation models and development capabilities for applications that generate or analyze text, images, and other content.

• Software marketplace · 2012

  AWS Marketplace

  A catalog and procurement channel through which customers discover, evaluate, and acquire third-party software, data, and professional services that can be deployed with AWS.

• 2026

  Amazon publishes blog urging support for AI data centers amid community backlash

  On October 2, 2026, Amazon published a blog by AWS CEO Matt Garman addressing public concerns about the impact of AI data centers on jobs, power demands, and the environment. The blog warned that more than 100 data center moratoriums under consideration across the US could cause lasting harm to the US economy and national security. It codified a 'Data Center Commitment' covering job creation, preventing increases to local energy rates, and a pledge to invest more than $1 billion to support communities neighboring its data centers. Amazon also said it no longer uses nondisclosure agreements with government agencies, after Democratic lawmaker Jamie Raskin probed tech companies about secret deals with local officials.

  Source

• 2019

  AWS sued over alleged biometric privacy violations

  A complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court alleges that Amazon Web Services violated Illinois biometric privacy requirements by storing biometric information for a commercial customer without providing required notice or obtaining informed consent. The allegations are presented as claims in a lawsuit and are not presented as a court determination. The complaint concerns the storage of biometric information on behalf of a commercial customer under Illinois biometric privacy rules.

  Source

Read more

• 2025AWS is How — Proven

  United States · United Kingdom · International

  A global brand campaign used customer stories to illustrate how AWS supports innovation in areas such as autonomous parking, large-scale game delivery, and motorsport technology. Its modular production format allowed scenes and customer examples to be adapted for different markets.

  Outcome. The campaign was scheduled to run across television, social media, and out-of-home channels, with expansion from the United States into additional markets.

  Source
• 2023AWS for Advertising and Marketing

  Global

  AWS introduced an industry initiative combining AWS services, partner solutions, and privacy-oriented data collaboration for advertising and marketing workloads, including measurement, analytics, customer experience, and audience use cases.

  Outcome. The initiative positioned AWS as infrastructure and analytics support for advertising organizations rather than only as a general-purpose hosting provider.

  Source

• 2024

  Change AWS chief executiveOther

  Background

  Adam Selipsky announced his departure after leading AWS, requiring Amazon to appoint new operating leadership for the cloud business.

  Action taken

  Matt Garman became chief executive of AWS.

  Aftermath

  The leadership transition maintained continuity while placing a long-serving AWS executive at the head of the business.

  Source

• 2023

  Expand into managed generative-AI application servicesProduct launch

  Background

  Businesses and developers increasingly sought managed access to foundation models and tools for integrating generative AI into software products.

  Action taken

  AWS introduced Amazon Bedrock, offering managed access to foundation models and related application-development capabilities.

  Aftermath

  The move broadened AWS's AI portfolio and intensified its competition in cloud-based generative-AI infrastructure and application services.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch a public cloud infrastructure platformProduct launch

  Background

  Amazon had developed reusable internal infrastructure for its retail operations and identified demand for flexible computing and storage among external developers and businesses.

  Action taken

  Amazon launched Amazon S3 and Amazon EC2, allowing customers to obtain storage and virtual computing capacity through internet-based services.

  Aftermath

  The launch established the modern AWS platform and supported the wider adoption of usage-based cloud infrastructure.

  Source

• 2025

  AWS announces general availability of Amazon Marketing Cloud on AWS Clean Rooms[5]Amazon Marketing Cloud on AWS Clean Roomsaws.amazon.com

  Product launch · Campaign

  AWS announced that advertisers could use Amazon Marketing Cloud with AWS Clean Rooms to combine selected first-party and Amazon Ads signals for audience discovery, planning, activation, and measurement without moving underlying data outside the customer's cloud environment.

• 2025

  AWS launches the global “AWS is How” campaign[6]AWS is How — Proven campaign referenceadsoftheworld.com

  Campaign

  The campaign presents customer examples from companies including BMW, Epic Games, and Formula 1, using a modular film concept to show how cloud technology supports operational and creative innovation. The campaign began in the United States and was planned for expansion into additional markets.

• 2024

  Amazon Web Services leadership changes to Matt Garman[10]Amazon Web Services leadership changes to Matt Garmanen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Matt Garman became chief executive of AWS, succeeding the prior AWS chief executive as Amazon reorganized leadership of its cloud business.

• 2023

  Amazon Bedrock expands AWS's generative-AI platform[7]Amazon.com overviewbritannica.com

  Product launch · Product generation

  Amazon introduced Bedrock as a managed service giving developers access to foundation models and tools for building generative-AI applications on AWS.

1. 1Cloud Computing Services — Amazon Web Servicesaws.amazon.com
2. 2AWS CEO leadership announcementaws.amazon.com
3. 3Adam Selipsky to retire as AWS CEOaboutamazon.com
4. 4Introducing AWS for Advertising & Marketingaws.amazon.com
5. 5Amazon Marketing Cloud on AWS Clean Roomsaws.amazon.com
6. 6AWS is How — Proven campaign referenceadsoftheworld.com
7. 7Amazon.com overviewbritannica.com
8. 8Amazon publishes blog urging support for AI data centers amid community backlashtheverge.com
9. 9AWS sued over alleged biometric privacy violationsbiometricupdate.com
10. 10Amazon Web Services leadership changes to Matt Garmanen.wikipedia.org
11. 1110月10日美股成交额前20：微软涨2.38% 推出面向快速决策的Microsoft-Decision-1模型finance.sina.com.cn
12. 12百余家科技巨头联名警告：防御AI网络攻击时间窗口有限163.com
13. 13百余家科技巨头联名警告：防御AI网络攻击时间窗口有限_亚马逊(usamzn)股吧_东方财富网股吧guba.eastmoney.com
14. 14量子计算时代即将来临？亚马逊向特定用户推出量子计算服务finance.sina.com.cn
15. 15亚马逊(AMZN.US)云计算宣布与Verizon(VZ.US)合作推出5G服务Wave Length_个股资讯_市场_中金在线sc.stock.cnfol.com
16. 16亚马逊推出第二代Arm服务器芯片Graviton2，能否快速替代x86？leiphone.com
17. 17亚马逊云科技与姚基金共同推出“云上篮图” 体育×科技育人计划news.e-works.net.cn
18. 18Amazon partners with MUSD for welding classesmantecabulletin.com
19. 19Amazon partners with Verizon on 5G in cloud computing expansioneuronews.com
20. 20Amazon releases its own Jev clone as decision models flood the webtechcrunch.com
21. 21Amazon unveils new server chip to compete with Intel’s productseattletimes.com
22. 22Amazon's cloud business bombards the market with dozens of new features as it looks to preserve its leadcnbc.com
23. 23AWS 宣布推出量子计算服务Amazon Braketprnasia.com
24. 24AWS Announces Strategic Collaboration with Novartis to Accelerate Digital Transformation of its Business Operations - Technutertechnuter.com
25. 25AWS collaborates with Drone Federation to boost drone innovation in Indialivemint.com
26. 26AWS debuts Amazon Kendra, an ML-powered enterprise search service - ZDNETzdnet.com
27. 27AWS launches Braket quantum computing serviceitweb.co.za
28. 28AWS Launches New EC2 Arm-Based, Machine-Learning Inference Instances | CRNcrn.com
29. 29AWS Marketplace正式在中国上线，加速客户云上创新cbinews.com
30. 30AWS teams up with consultant Slalom to help businesses migrate to its cloud - SiliconANGLEsiliconangle.com
31. 31AWS unveils Amazon Braket quantum computing service - ZDNETzdnet.com
32. 32AWS unveils AWS Wavelength for 5G edge computing, new partnerships with Verizon, Vodafone, KDDI, SK Telecomtelecompaper.com
33. 33AWS unveils WorkSpaces client for Windows and Mac - TechCentral.ietechcentral.ie
34. 34BP teams up with Amazon Web Services to supply renewable energy to its European datacentresenergyglobal.com
35. 35Deloitte Launches Smart Factory Fabric on Amazon Web Services to Accelerate Smart Factory Transformations for Companies With Manufacturing Operationsprnewswire.com
36. 36Federated Wireless launches CBRS connectivity-as-a-service - ZDNETzdnet.com
37. 37FINRA partners with AWS to keep closer watch on financial markets - SiliconANGLEsiliconangle.com
38. 38Maxis teams up with AWS to accelerate cloud adoption for businessesbernama.com
39. 39Maxis teams up with AWS to accelerate cloud adoption for businessesthestar.com.my
40. 40NFL teams up with AWS to simulate and predict player injuries using AI - SiliconANGLEsiliconangle.com
41. 41Razorpay Introduces AI Payments Foundation Model With Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Crowdfund Insidercrowdfundinsider.com
42. 42Rio Tinto launches $10m school STEM program with AWSitnews.com.au
43. 43Southwest Airlines launches ChatGPT plugin to help travellers discover and shop for flightsfuturetravelexperience.com
44. 44STG Announces Partnership with Infosys Finacle to Bring Powerful Cloud Native Banking Platform to US Community Banksprweb.com
45. 45Trump unveils $6 billion US science pushianslive.in
46. 46Xiaomi launches MiCredit- for easy loans, even credit score checking | Xiaomi launches MiCredit- for easy loans, even credit score checkingdeccanchronicle.com