Amazon is an American multinational technology company which focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as "one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world", and is one of the world's most valuable brands. It was founded by Jeff Bezos on July 5, 1994. It started as an online bookstore but quickly expanded its offerings to include a vast array of products and services, becoming one of the world's largest and most influential companies.