The National Geographic Society has announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to digitise and centralise its vast collection of historic media assets as part of a long-term effort to modernise its storytelling infrastructure.
Under the collaboration announced on March 30, 2026, AWS will become the Society’s preferred cloud provider and help build a new digital media platform to process, store and preserve nearly 15 petabytes of archival material, ranging from deep-sea exploration footage to archaeological records.
The initiative aims to consolidate the Society’s extensive archives into a unified digital library that will allow production teams to quickly search and reuse content for future storytelling projects. The organization currently produces around two petabytes of new video content annually through programmes such as the Impact Story Lab, National Geographic Pristine Seas and National Geographic Live.
“This initiative is the first step in a multi-year journey where the Society will leverage AWS infrastructure and services to centralize the production and preservation of its media assets,” said Jason Southern, chief technology and information officer at the National Geographic Society. “Production teams will be able to quickly discover, access and re-use existing media to create impactful stories about the work our Explorers undertake to study our world.”
The new platform will focus on three major areas, including building a centralised digital archive, enabling AI-driven content discovery, and improving production workflows. Using AWS generative AI tools, the system will help transcribe footage, generate metadata, and identify key individuals appearing in archival material.
The platform is also expected to allow production teams to collaborate on editing and asset management in real time, reducing the time required to bring stories from field documentation to public release.
“For over 138 years, the National Geographic Society has documented the wonders of our world, from the ocean floor to the highest peaks, capturing history, inspiring explorers of every age, and building a legacy that is truly irreplaceable. AWS is proud to partner with the Society to ensure every asset becomes an enduring resource as we safeguard the past while powering the next generation of discovery,” said Rick Buettner, managing director of global nonprofits at AWS.
According to the organisations, the cloud-based system will also enable faster analysis of large volumes of video content, helping transform archival documentation into new storytelling projects.
The partnership is expected to play a key role in preserving the Society’s legacy while strengthening its ability to produce digital content aimed at education, conservation and global awareness.
