17 New AWS Services Unveiled by Adam Selipsky at reInvent 2022
On the first day of the 2022 AWS reInvent conference in Las Vegas, CEO Adam Selipsky delivered an insightful keynote address detailing significant advancements in Amazon Web Services (AWS). For those who missed the event or wish to skip the lengthy session, I’ve summarized the key announcements and highlights.
Focus on Sustainability and Cloud Investment
Selipsky opened with a discussion on sustainability, emphasizing Amazon’s commitment to becoming the world’s largest purchaser of renewable energy, aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2025. Additionally, he highlighted the company’s goal of achieving water positivity by 2030, meaning they plan to return more water to the environment than they consume.
Addressing current global challenges such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, Selipsky noted that many businesses continue to invest in cloud technologies to realize significant cost savings. He cited Airbnb as an example, revealing how they reduced their cloud expenditures by 27% during the pandemic and swiftly scaled resources back up as the market rebounded. Engie also shared their experience, reporting a 60% reduction in operational costs through the AWS cloud.
Innovations in Data and Security
Shifting the focus to data, Selipsky discussed the impending data boom, predicting that the next five years will see a doubling of global data production. To assist businesses in harnessing this data, he outlined several new AWS features:
- OpenSearch Serverless: A new serverless capability for Amazon OpenSearch Service allowing developers to manage petabyte-scale workloads without server management.
- Amazon Aurora zero-ETL integration with Amazon Redshift: This feature enables near-real-time analytics on transaction data, streamlining data consolidation and updates.
- Amazon Redshift Integration for Apache Spark: Now generally available, this integration allows Spark queries on Redshift data without data migration.
- Amazon DataZone: A comprehensive data management service for cataloging, discovering, and governing data access.
- ML-Powered Forecasting with Q: A feature in Amazon QuickSight that allows users to generate forecasts using natural language queries.
Advancements in Security
Security was another focal point of Selipsky’s address, with several new features announced:
- Container Runtime Threat Detection for GuardDuty: This upcoming feature will detect threats within containers and their attempts to access host nodes.
- Amazon Security Lake: Launched in preview, this service aggregates security data from various AWS sources and partner systems, supporting the Open Cybersecurity Schema Framework (OCSF).
Infrastructure Enhancements
Several new EC2 instances powered by AWS silicon were also announced:
- C7gn Instances: Utilizing AWS Graviton3 silicon for improved performance and enhanced networking capabilities.
- Inf2 Instances: Based on the Inferentia 2 chip, these instances offer significantly higher throughput with reduced latency.
- Hpc6id Instances: Designed for high-performance computing applications, these instances deliver excellent price-performance ratios.
New Tools for Simulation and Supply Chain Management
Additionally, AWS SimSpace Weaver was introduced, allowing users to run large-scale spatial simulations easily. This tool integrates with popular 3D engines for applications like urban planning.
Amazon Connect also debuted several features aimed at improving contact center operations, including:
- ML-Driven Forecasting and Scheduling: Now generally available, this tool helps contact centers adjust to fluctuating demands.
- Contact Lens with Agent Performance Management: This feature enables contact center managers to evaluate agent performance using machine learning analytics.
- Agent Workspace with Guided Actions: A new workspace designed to assist agents in resolving customer issues efficiently.
Conclusion of Announcements
Finally, AWS Clean Rooms and Amazon Omics were introduced, focusing on data aggregation for market insights and advancements in genomic research, respectively. These innovative services underscore AWS’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and supporting diverse industries.