Shareholder letters focus on business performance. However the 2023 Amazon Shareholder Letter introduces or redfines the concept of Primitives, the most foundational-level building blocks for how to build a business. These blocks are indivisible and perform a single function with maximum developer flexibility. The focus on Primitives is so significant that the letter posits that the question should not be how to define a new successful business such as AWS, Prime, or Marketplace, but rather, "What's the next step of primitives?" Amazon aims to lead the way in building the right primitives for Generative AI.
The approach of building services using Primitives has been a key factor in the growth and success of AWS. Conversely, initial failures in healthcare initiatives have been attributed to a lack of adoption of primitives. Primitives are designed to be used together rather than as solutions in and of themselves and are optimized for maximum builder or developer freedom and innovation. The letter emphasizes that the company will not impose constraints on primitives but build them for maximum flexibility.
The approach of building services using Primitives has been a key factor in the growth and success of AWS. Conversely, initial failures in healthcare initiatives have been attributed to a lack of adoption of primitives. Primitives are designed to be used together rather than as solutions in and of themselves and are optimized for maximum builder or developer freedom and innovation. The letter emphasizes that the company will not impose constraints on primitives but build them for maximum flexibility.