AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon's cloud computing division providing infrastructure and services to enterprises globally. AWS has become central to Amazon's artificial intelligence strategy, with recent earnings showing accelerated growth and substantial investment in custom-designed AI chips to reduce external hardware dependence. Concurrently, Amazon is expanding data center construction at an accelerated pace to support growing AI workload demand.

The rapid expansion is creating environmental and community tensions. Large new data centers—including a planned facility in Texas with an on-site power plant—have raised concerns about carbon emissions and environmental impact. Local communities are also questioning the siting decisions and effects of these massive facilities. AWS is simultaneously expanding AI service availability globally, including through partnerships with companies like Anthropic to bring models like Claude to new regions such as India.