The article recounts a costly mistake involving AWS NAT Gateways and data transfer fees due to a missing VPC Endpoint for S3. After a surprise $1,000 bill, the author explains how to implement VPC Gateway Endpoints to prevent similar charges in the future.

Figma disclosed in its IPO filing that it spends approximately $300,000 daily on Amazon Web Services, totaling around $100 million annually, which comprises about 12% of its revenue. The company has committed to a minimum of $545 million in cloud hosting services over the next five years, highlighting the risks associated with its complete reliance on AWS and the challenges of deep vendor lock-in as costs rise. This situation mirrors broader industry trends where companies are reconsidering their cloud strategies to mitigate expenses and risks.

Anthropic's spending on Amazon Web Services has reached alarming levels, with reported costs exceeding its revenue, leading to concerns over its financial viability. In 2024 alone, Anthropic spent $1.35 billion on AWS while generating an estimated revenue of $600 million, contributing to a larger narrative of escalating operational expenses in the AI industry. The article also hints at potential undisclosed costs and uncertainties regarding Anthropic's future profitability.