AWS and Microsoft have transformed their roles beyond just cloud service providers; they now act as risk mitigators for corporate customers. In the past, software developers often provided vague hardware requirements, which left clients vulnerable if things went wrong. Corporate clients prefer vendors to detail requirements and absorb blame, ensuring they can distance themselves from any failures. This dynamic has shifted towards a demand for complete solutions, with customers expecting vendors to deliver fully functional systems, as illustrated by the author’s experience with a client that required specific power configurations. Large cloud providers excel at absorbing blame. If a service fails or becomes costly, the corporate customer can simply throw more resources at it, mitigating the risk of personal accountability. The article contrasts this with the challenges smaller European cloud providers face. Although they offer competitive pricing and compliance advantages, they lack the scale and infrastructure to absorb blame effectively. This creates a significant barrier to entry in the market, as large organizations prioritize risk-free choices when selecting cloud services. The author notes that merely providing efficient and secure services isn't enough. European cloud providers must also cultivate a sense of comfort for corporate clients, which involves comprehensive support, training, and a strong legal framework. Without this, they risk losing out on lucrative corporate contracts. The landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, especially as geopolitical factors like sanctions come into play. For smaller providers, the challenge lies in determining whether they want to play the blame absorber role or focus on different customer segments.