Amazon Web Services (AWS) is creating a new Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) organisation focused on helping businesses move AI from experimentation into real-world operations.

The new teams will work directly with customers to design, build and deploy agentic AI systems—AI applications capable of carrying out tasks and making decisions with limited human intervention.

From Months to Days

AWS says its new approach could reduce the time required to deploy AI systems from months to just days.

Rather than simply advising businesses, FDE engineers will work alongside customers' business, engineering and security teams to develop AI systems tailored to their existing data, workflows and governance requirements.

The goal is for customers to leave the engagement with functioning AI systems, as well as the technical skills and processes needed to operate and improve those systems independently.

A Different Approach to AI Consulting

AWS says the FDE model differs from traditional consulting because the focus is on delivering measurable business outcomes rather than billing primarily for consulting hours.

The teams will use an approach known as the AI-Driven Development Lifecycle, where AI agents assist with different stages of software development while human engineers supervise and validate their work.

AWS will also collaborate with technology partners that bring expertise in AI models, industry-specific applications and other specialised technologies.

Building AI Around Enterprise Data

One of the key components of the system is a semantic layer that operates inside a customer's AWS account.

The layer connects to enterprise data sources, enriches metadata and creates a governed and version-controlled knowledge graph that AI agents can use when carrying out tasks.

This approach is designed to allow businesses to preserve their institutional and industry-specific knowledge within their own software and data systems instead of relying entirely on individual employees or external consultants.

Security Remains a Priority

AWS says security and governance will be integrated into the deployments, including hardware-based isolation and end-to-end encryption.

Customer information will also remain within the customer's existing governance framework, an important consideration for organisations handling sensitive information.

Major Organisations Are Already Testing the Model

AWS says it is already working with organisations including the NFL, NBA, Allen Institute, Cox Automotive, Ricoh and Southwest Airlines.

The NFL, for example, worked with AWS FDE engineers to develop AI-powered fan products including NFL Fantasy AI and NFL IQ, with the projects reportedly moving into production within weeks.

Targeting Businesses Ready for Production

The new organisation is aimed primarily at companies that have moved beyond AI experiments and now need to integrate the technology into everyday business operations.

Regulated industries, financial institutions and government agencies could become major users because they often require stronger security, governance and compliance controls before deploying AI at scale.

AWS has been helping businesses implement AI solutions for years. The company says its Generative AI Innovation Center has worked on thousands of customer projects over the past three years, including applications for BMW, Jabil and Lyft.

With the new FDE organisation, AWS is taking that strategy a step further: instead of simply helping companies explore what AI can do, it wants to help them put AI agents to work inside their businesses.