Microsoft announced SQL Server 2025 at Microsoft Ignite, with major new features focused on AI and integrating Azure SQL DB capabilities into on-premises servers.

Check out this Microsoft Announcement post for more information: Announcing Microsoft SQL Server 2025: Enterprise AI-ready database from ground to cloud

Key Features

– AI Integration: Built-in AI simplifies development with vector search and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) patterns, leveraging familiar T-SQL syntax.
– Enterprise AI Applications: Features a native vector store with DiskANN technology, semantic search, and AI model management via REST interfaces.
– Developer Productivity: Enhanced with REST API support, GraphQL, low-code tools, and native JSON for dynamic application development.
– Performance & Security: Improvements include query optimization, real-time change streaming, and advanced authentication with Azure Arc.
– Microsoft Fabric & Azure Arc: Streamlined data replication, real-time analytics, and simplified licensing for hybrid environments.

My Thoughts

Well, none so far! I haven’t had a proper dig of what all the above really means. One of my first thoughts were that it could quickly eliminate some tools like SQL Toolbelt, and we might see our first SQL Server backed by GPU?

No doubt given some time, wait for the release and for things to bake, I’ll see it in the real-world work environment. I will of course keep following the latest information and blogs on our new SQL Server version, 17.0.x!

Early Preview SQL Server 2025 Release

SQL Server 2025 is now in preview, you can sign up for early adoption here.