An Amazon employee who works on artificial intelligence says his biggest career regret is waiting years to build a reputation outside the company. In a personal account, he describes the effort required to establish visibility externally while maintaining his day-to-day work.

The article presents his approach to gaining recognition beyond Amazon, framing it as more than just publishing updates or networking. He argues that building an outside reputation can require sustained time and attention, sometimes feeling like a second job. The account also reflects on why the wait can be costly, including missed opportunities to connect with broader communities and to be known for work outside an internal context.