The Conda-based AMI comes pre-installed with Python environments for deep learning created using Conda. Each Conda-based Python environment is configured to include the official pip package of a popular deep learning framework, and its dependencies. Think of it as a fully baked virtual environment ready to run your deep learning code, for example, to train a neural network model. Our step-by-step guide provides instructions on how to activate an environment with the deep learning framework of your choice or swap between environments using simple one-line commands.
But the benefits of the AMI don’t stop there. The environments on the AMI operate as mutually-isolated, self-contained sandboxes. This means when you run your deep learning code inside the sandbox, you get full visibility and control of its run-time environment. You can install a new software package, upgrade an existing package or change an environment variable—all without worrying about interrupting other deep learning environments on the AMI. This level of flexibility and fine-grained control over your execution environment also means you can now run tests, and benchmark the performance of your deep learning models in a manner that is consistent and reproducible over time.
Finally, the AMI provides a visual interface that plugs straight into your Jupyter notebooks so you can switch in and out of environments, launch a notebook in an environment of your choice, and even reconfigure your environment—all with a single click, right from your Jupyter notebook browser. Our step-by-step guide walks you through these integrations and other Jupyter notebooks and tutorials.
— New AWS Deep Learning AMIs for Machine Learning Practitioners | AWS AI Blog