Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive cloud computing platform launched in 2006 that offers a variety of services including computation, storage, databases, and machine learning, supporting businesses globally. Key benefits include scalability, cost-effectiveness, high-level security, and innovation, with a pay-as-you-go pricing model that allows easy resource management. AWS is widely utilized across multiple domains such as web and mobile applications, big data analysis, and e-commerce, making it a crucial tool for modern businesses.