Amazon Web Service (AWS) announces an expansion of its free credits program for startups to cover the costs associated with major AI models, aiming to bolster the market share of its AI platform Bedrock.
AWS now allows its cloud credits to encompass the use of models from various providers, including Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, and Cohere, to attract startup customers.
Partnership with Other AI Model Providers:
AWS collaborates with multiple AI model providers to incentivize startups, broadening the range of options available under its free credits program.
Howard Wright, vice president and global head of startups at AWS, emphasizes the company’s commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem by offering incentives for startups to choose AWS as their primary cloud provider.
Investment in Anthropic and Collaboration Details:
Following a $4 billion investment in Anthropic, AWS solidifies its partnership with the AI startup. Anthropic utilizes AWS as its primary cloud provider and leverages Trainium and Inferentia chips for model development.
AWS’s provision of free credits contributes to the revenue of popular models like Anthropic, fostering ecosystem growth and reinforcing AWS’s position as a leading cloud provider.
AWS’s Ongoing Support for Startups:
With over $6 billion in credits offered to startups over the past decade, AWS continues to provide substantial support to startups through initiatives like its partnership with Y Combinator, offering $500,000 in credits to the latest cohort.
AWS faces competition from major cloud providers like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, which offer incentives and credits to attract AI startups.
Regulatory Scrutiny on Big Tech’s AI Investments:
The investments made by big tech companies in AI startups, including AWS’s involvement with Anthropic, have drawn regulatory scrutiny, exemplified by inquiries from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into Microsoft’s backing of OpenAI, as well as Google and Amazon’s investment in Anthropic.