As we delve into the increasingly digital world of the 21st century, one thing is clear -- the realm of cloud computing is expanding at a remarkable rate. AWS (Amazon Web Services), the world's leading provider in cloud computing services, stands at the forefront of this transformation, and AWS consultants are the foot soldiers in this technological revolution. This article aims to delineate the future trajectory of AWS consultants and the prevalent trends in the cloud computing industry.

For those not familiar with the term, AWS consultants are industry experts who help businesses optimize their use of AWS cloud services. They offer strategic guidance, technical expertise, and practical implementation tactics to help businesses navigate the complex landscape of cloud computing. Their role is becoming increasingly pivotal as businesses worldwide, irrespective of their size and industry, adopt cloud computing.

The impetus behind businesses opting for cloud computing is multifaceted. The economics of scale offered by AWS, the flexibility to pay only for the services consumed, and the ability to scale operations up or down based on demand, are just some of the reasons. But more than anything else, the digitization of business operations necessitates robust and secure data management, which is where AWS and their team of consultants come in.

Looking into the future, AWS consultants will have to navigate several trends in the cloud computing industry. Let’s discuss some of these.

• First, the increasing emphasis on Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business operations. As businesses collect vast amounts of data, they need sophisticated tools to analyze and interpret this data, for which ML and AI algorithms are ideally suited. AWS consultants will need to become proficient in these algorithms, as the AWS platform offers a plethora of ML and AI services.
• Second, the rise of edge computing. This model shifts computational processes closer to the source of data, reducing latency and enhancing user experience. As edge computing becomes ubiquitous, AWS consultants will need to familiarize themselves with services like AWS Outposts and Snowball Edge, which facilitate edge computing.
• Third, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. With cyber threats evolving and becoming more sophisticated, businesses will rely heavily on AWS consultants to secure their data and infrastructure.
• Fourth, the trend towards a multi-cloud strategy is well underway. Although AWS is the market leader, businesses may opt to use multiple cloud providers for various reasons, including cost, functionality, and risk distribution. AWS consultants will need to understand and integrate these multiple systems to optimize benefits for their clients.

In terms of statistical inference, AWS holds a 32% market share in the cloud services industry, followed by Microsoft Azure at 20% and Google Cloud at 9%. These numbers wouldn't be possible without the legion of AWS consultants who play a pivotal role in the implementation and optimization of AWS services.

While this is an educated prediction, the future of cloud computing and AWS consultants is not set in stone. The technological landscape is fluid and continually evolving, and AWS consultants must adapt to these changes. They will need to upskill continuously and stay abreast of the latest industry trends to remain valuable to their clients.

The rapid expansion and advancement in the cloud sector indicate exciting times ahead for AWS consultants. As they help businesses unlock the full potential of the cloud, they are, in effect, shaping the future of business operations, making them invaluable contributors to this digital revolution.

In conclusion, the AWS consultant of the future will be a versatile, dynamic, and indispensable actor in the cloud ecosystem. They will need to be part strategist, part technician, part cybersecurity expert, and part integrator. As they adapt and grow in their roles, they will continue to be a driving force in the cloud computing industry's future. The future is cloudy, but for AWS consultants, it’s a cloud of opportunities.