Hasan Rizvi, EVP, Database Engineering, Oracle, talks to Bob Evans in this latest episode of Cloud Wars Live. They explore the launch of Oracle AI Database 26ai, the Autonomous AI Lakehouse, and breakthroughs in multi-cloud deployment. Rizvi also discusses vector search, agentic AI, and how Oracle is simplifying complex architectures for the AI era. It’s a compelling look at how Oracle is reshaping enterprise data strategy for the age of AI.

Oracle’s Next-Gen Data Strategy

The Big Themes:

• AI Demands a Modern Data Foundation: As AI shifts operations from human scale to machine speed, enterprises must ask: “Is my data foundation ready?” Without intelligent data structures, comprehensive access, real‑time performance, and strong security, organizations will struggle to compete. The introduction of Oracle AI Database 26ai is positioned as that foundation. The urgency of this shift is clear: companies that delay risk being left behind.
• Agentic AI and Vectors Come to the Enterprise Database: Generative AI and autonomous agents require new data types and workflows. Oracle has built vector data types and vector indexes into the database so enterprises can perform similarity search, retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) and agent workflows directly on their private data. Further, Oracle is enabling annotations (metadata) so LLMs can understand enterprise data schemas, improving accuracy. Finally, agentic workflows (AI that takes action) are supported within the database, reducing data movement, improving performance and strengthening security.
• Start‑Ups and Established Enterprises Both Benefit: The case study of Retraced (a fashion supply‑chain company) underscores how smaller, agile firms are using Oracle’s autonomous AI database to innovate quickly: multi‑datatype support, agentic AI, automatic scaling, and reduced operational overhead. At the same time, Oracle’s heritage in mission‑critical enterprise systems means large companies with massive workloads benefit from the same platform. The point: whether you’re a start‑up or a Fortune 500, the difference will be how fast you move.

The Big Quote: “We really believe that in in the age of AI, where you have to move much faster, you really don't have a choice but to start simplifying your environment. Otherwise, you're going to get left behind."

More from Hasan Rizvi and Oracle:

Connect with Hasan on LinkedIn and learn more about Oracle AI Database 26ai.

Visit Cloud Wars for more.