Updates

AI Meets Mission Critical: New Oracle Database 23ai

Copyright & Fact Checker 8 October 2024

Source: Dominic Giles, Distinguished Oracle Product Manager

Oracle Database 23ai has arrived, and it’s a game-changer! This release marks a new era of intelligent data management, seamlessly integrating the power of AI with the robustness and reliability of Oracle Database. Let’s dive into the key innovations that make this release so transformative.

AI for Data: Empowering Intelligent Applications and Insights

Oracle Database 23ai empowers developers to build AI-driven applications and enables users across all levels to unlock deeper insights from their data. Here’s how:

  • AI Vector Search: This cutting-edge technology enables you to harness the power of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. By generating and storing vector embeddings directly within the database, you can perform powerful similarity searches using standard SQL. This allows you to augment LLMs with your own data, resulting in more accurate, contextually relevant responses.
  • Secure AI Model Integration: Maintain complete control over your data and AI models. Oracle Database 23ai supports the ONNX standard, allowing you to securely load and execute your own trusted AI models within the database. This eliminates the need to rely on external third-party services and ensures data privacy.
  • Natural Language Queries: Interact with your data in a more intuitive way. Oracle Database 23ai integrates with LLMs like Cohere and Llama, enabling you to query the database using natural language. Ask questions like “Show me the last 4 quarters’ sales of products that are popular with the younger generation,” and the database will understand and translate your request into efficient SQL queries.
  • Built-in Machine Learning: Building on a rich history of integrated machine learning, Oracle Database 23ai provides a comprehensive suite of algorithms for tasks like classification, clustering, and prediction. This allows you to uncover hidden patterns and gain valuable insights directly within the database, without complex data extraction processes.

Early Tester Raves:

  • Nomura Research Institute: “We’re impressed with the ability to run AI Vector Search within our existing Oracle Database environment, ensuring a secure and reliable solution.”
  • Miracle Finland Oy: “AI Vector Search is a game-changer, bringing the power of AI directly to our data… The ability to leverage Generative AI with our own data opens up incredible possibilities.”
  • UL Systems Inc.: “Integrating large language models with our company data is seamless with AI Vector Search, enabling us to build powerful enterprise-level applications.”
  • Cross Cat Co., Ltd.: “AI Vector Search empowers our engineers to work with vector data using familiar SQL, making it incredibly accessible and cost-effective.”

Dev for Data: Simplifying and Accelerating Development

Oracle Database 23ai introduces powerful features to streamline application development and remove complexity:

  • JSON Relational Duality: This revolutionary technology eliminates the age-old dilemma of choosing between JSON and relational data models. By creating JSON Duality views on top of relational tables, you can leverage the strengths of both approaches within a single application. This simplifies development, increases flexibility, and eliminates data redundancy.
  • Enhanced SQL: Numerous enhancements make SQL even more powerful and user-friendly. New data types (Boolean and Vector), Data Usecase Domains, simplified syntax, and expanded functionality streamline database interactions and improve code readability.
  • Property Graphs: Model and analyze complex relationships with ease using the new Property Graph feature. Leverage the power and familiarity of SQL and industry standards to gain deeper insights from interconnected data. Advanced graph algorithms will be available soon after the general availability release.

Developer Acclaim:

  • Transfer Solutions: “JSON Relational Duality Views are a game changer, finally solving the object-relational mapping problem and enabling true ACID-compliant transactions in multi-tier architectures.”
  • Qualogy: “JSON Relational Duality provides the best of both worlds, allowing relational and document database experts to work together seamlessly. This offers incredible flexibility for developers and simplifies database management.”
  • VDEL Informationstechnik & Consulting GmbH: “Oracle Database 23ai, with JSON Relational Duality Views and Oracle APEX, has enabled us to create feature-rich applications for managing JSON healthcare data in a standards-compliant way.”

Mission Critical for Data: Unwavering Reliability and Scalability

Oracle Database has a long-standing reputation for powering the world’s most demanding applications. Oracle Database 23ai continues this tradition with enhanced features for high availability, scalability, and security.

  • Enhanced Sharding: Globally Distributed Database technology now includes Raft replication, a consensus-based protocol that ensures automatic configuration and rebalancing of data across shards. This enables sub-second failover and increased resilience for distributed applications.
  • Simplified Caching: True Cache, a diskless Oracle Instance running in front of the primary database, simplifies application-tier caching. Leveraging Active Data Guard technology, True Cache ensures data consistency and reduces database load with minimal code changes.
  • SQL Firewall: Protect your data from unauthorized access and SQL injection attacks with the new SQL Firewall. This feature allows you to define an “allow list” of permitted SQL statements and block or log any unauthorized queries, ensuring database security with minimal performance overhead.

A Transformative Release:

Oracle Database 23ai is more than just an upgrade; it’s a fundamental shift towards an AI-powered future for data management. With its innovative features, enhanced developer tools, and unwavering commitment to mission-critical capabilities, Oracle Database 23ai empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of their data in the age of AI.