What New AI Features Are Included in Oracle Database 26ai Compared to 23ai

An Altus Perspective on the Next Phase of AI Native Databases The release of Oracle Database 23ai marked a turning point in enterprise data platforms by introducing AI as a native database capability. With Oracle Database 26ai, Oracle takes that foundation further, expanding AI functionality, strengthening autonomy, and formalizing the platform as a long term enterprise grade AI database.

For organizations already running 23ai or planning an upgrade, the key question is not whether 26ai is different, but how it advances AI capabilities in practical, production ready ways. This blog breaks down what is genuinely new in 26ai and why it matters for enterprises working with Altus.

23ai vs 26ai A Quick Context Oracle Database 23ai introduced the concept of an AI native database. AI and machine learning were embedded into the database engine, enabling in database analytics, autonomous tuning, and early vector support.

Oracle Database 26ai builds on the same architectural vision but extends it significantly. It enhances AI depth, operational maturity, security controls, and enterprise readiness, positioning 26ai as the next standard platform for AI driven data workloads.

Expanded AI Native Capabilities in 26ai

While 23ai proved that AI could live inside the database, 26ai broadens how AI can be applied across real enterprise use cases.

Oracle 26ai strengthens native vector data support, enabling more advanced similarity search and semantic querying directly within the database. This makes it easier to support generative AI use cases such as contextual search, document intelligence, and knowledge based applications without external vector stores.

In addition, AI execution inside the database is more tightly integrated with transactional and analytical workloads, allowing organizations to apply intelligence directly at the point where data is created and consumed. Deeper Support for Generative AI Architectures One of the most notable advancements in 26ai is its improved readiness for generative AI patterns.

While 23ai introduced the foundations for vector processing, 26ai enhances retrieval and similarity operations that are critical for retrieval augmented generation workflows. This enables enterprises to build AI assistants, copilots, and search experiences that operate on live enterprise data while remaining within Oracle’s security and governance framework.

For Altus customers, this means generative AI can be explored without redesigning existing database architectures.

Smarter Autonomous Operations Compared to 23ai

Autonomous behavior existed in 23ai, but Oracle 26ai expands the scope and intelligence of these capabilities.

In 26ai, the database uses self learning intelligence more extensively to analyze workload patterns, optimize SQL execution, and manage resources dynamically. Performance tuning, execution plan optimization, and workload balancing are handled with minimal manual intervention.

This evolution reduces operational effort further and improves system stability for mixed workloads, especially in environments running ERP, analytics, and AI workloads together.

Enhanced Security Intelligence and Governance

Security is another area where 26ai moves beyond 23ai.

Oracle 26ai enhances AI driven threat detection by improving anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, and intelligent auditing. Instead of relying purely on static rules, the database can identify unusual activity patterns and respond proactively.

These capabilities are particularly important as AI workloads gain access to sensitive enterprise data. In 26ai, AI operations remain fully governed by database level security controls, ensuring compliance and auditability across regions and industries.

Improved Developer and DBA Productivity

Oracle Database 26ai also improves how developers and database teams interact with AI capabilities.

Compared to 23ai, 26ai provides more intelligent assistance for SQL optimization, troubleshooting, and performance analysis. AI driven recommendations help teams resolve issues faster and reduce the learning curve for advanced database features.

This directly benefits enterprises by accelerating development cycles while maintaining database reliability and governance.

Enterprise Readiness and Long Term Platform Strategy

While 23ai introduced innovation, 26ai formalizes Oracle’s AI database strategy for long term enterprise adoption.

With improved stability, broader AI feature coverage, and enhanced operational automation, Oracle 26ai is positioned as a production ready platform for organizations that want to scale AI initiatives across core systems.

For enterprises, this means fewer experimental architectures and more confidence in running AI workloads alongside mission critical applications.

What This Means for Altus Customers

At Altus, we view Oracle Database 26ai as a natural next step for organizations that have adopted or are considering 23ai.

26ai allows enterprises to

• Expand AI use cases without adding architectural complexity

• Improve performance and resilience through deeper autonomous capabilities

• Strengthen security and compliance for AI driven workloads

• Build generative AI solutions directly on trusted enterprise data

  
  

Our role is to help organizations assess readiness, plan upgrades, modernize architectures, and translate Oracle’s AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes.

Conclusion

Oracle Database 23ai introduced the concept of an AI native database. Oracle Database 26ai evolves that concept into a mature, enterprise ready AI data platform.

With enhanced vector processing, stronger autonomous intelligence, improved security governance, and better support for generative AI architectures, 26ai represents a meaningful advancement rather than a cosmetic upgrade.

For organizations looking to move from AI experimentation to AI at scale, Oracle Database 26ai, implemented with Altus, provides a secure and future ready foundation for intelligent growth.