AWS, Anthropic and OpenAI deploy thousands of engineers to prove AI's value

AWS, Anthropic, OpenAI and Google are expanding their forward-deployed engineer (FDE) programs to help customers adopt AI. OpenAI has invested $4 billion and AWS $1 billion, while Anthropic plans to train 10,000 specialist engineers by the end of 2027. US FDE job postings grew 6x year-over-year for two years straight, reaching 7,300 in the first nine months of 2026.

• OpenAI invested $4 billion and AWS $1 billion in FDE programs
• Anthropic plans to train 10,000 specialist engineers by end of 2027
• US FDE job ads grew 6x: from 1,200 in 2025 to 7,300 in nine months of 2026
• Three of the four top FDE hirers are consultancies