SQL and AI for the rest of us

Regular 50 minute session for SQLBits 2026Saturday - 25 Apr 2026 - 09:00 - 09:50 Room 1B

TL; DR

Are you trying to keep up with the pace of AI today especially when it comes to working with your data in SQL, ground to cloud to fabric? In this session you will not only learn fundamentals like vectors, AI models, prompts, model hosting, and RAG. But you will also learn what are the latest innovations such as AI Agents, MCP Servers, and GitHub Copilots. We will have plenty of demos and we will show you how we built them using AI! You will walk away with a better sense of how you can use AI securely with your data in SQL

Session Details

Are you trying to keep up with the pace of AI today especially when it comes to working with your data in SQL, ground to cloud to fabric? In this session you will not only learn fundamentals like vectors, AI models, prompts, model hosting, and RAG. But you will also learn what are the latest innovations such as AI Agents, MCP Servers, and GitHub Copilots. We will have plenty of demos and we will show you how we built them using AI! You will walk away with a better sense of how you can use AI securely with your data in SQL

3 things you'll get out of this session

• Learn AI fundamentals: vectors, models, prompts, RAG, and model hosting

• Understand latest innovations like AI Agents, MCP Servers, and GitHub Copilots

• Use AI securely with your SQL data from ground to cloud to Fabric

Bob Ward's other proposed sessions for 2026

The Roadmap for One SQL: Edge to PaaS to SaaS - 2026

Ask Me Anything: Migrating On-Prem SQL Server to Azure SQL – Real-World Experience - 2026

Ask us anything - Panel session with SQL LT - 2026

Build Secure, Scalable AI Applications with Azure SQL Database Hyperscale - 2026

Inside SQL Server 2025 Part 1 - 2026

Inside SQL Server 2025 Part 2 - 2026

SQL vs. Fabric? Why Not Both! A Practical and Entertaining Guide for All - 2026

SQL Server Versioning Explained - 2026

What's new in the SQL core engine - 2026

Microsoft SQL and AMD in the era of AI - 2026

Bob Ward's previous sessions

The Cloud Workshop for the SQL Professional

Are you thinking, exploring, migrating, or have migrated from SQL Server to Azure? Come translate your SQL Server skills to the cloud in an interactive, hands-on workshop. (In-person only)

Welcome to the world of SQL Copilots

Microsoft is building a new experience of an AI companions called Copilot that are transforming how people work, write code, and solve problems faster. In this session come learn the latest innovations in SQL Copilot technology including GitHub Copilots for developing code and assisting with the T-SQL language. In addition you will get the latest look at Copilot technology to assist you in using and managing SQL in Azure. We will have plenty of demos in this session so come in and get ready to learn the new world of AI companions with SQL.

Come see your SQL Perfmon in the cloud

Come learn the latest innovations for monitoring technologies for SQL Server and Azure SQL

The Microsoft Data Leadership Panel

SQL Server and Windows Server Better together on Azure

Join us to learn how you can reap more technical and business benefits by running Windows Server and SQL Server on Azure. In this session you will get a first look at Windows Server vNext and innovative technologies for SQL Server including new monitoring and AI experiences.