Prototypes have no restrictions that we would normally place on code (coverage %, automated pipelines, etc) and can only be created in a sandbox AWS account that has no access to our internal systems. It allows developers to prove out concepts or work with product to quickly iterate on PoC.
On the other side, PoC's have a limited lifespan and if successful, are expected to be re-implemented as an MVP, following our internal standards and guidelines.
I like the separation of AWS accounts.
The problem is that most companies can't do prototyping because they don't have the resources. They build a prototype, and then they don't throw it away and build the proper version and they use as production.
There are so many things in production that are prototypes (even when people/companies cannot allow themselves to recognize them as such...), having a word for this pattern is great.