SQL Server 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most significant SQL Server releases in over a decade. Currently available in public preview, this version focuses on three key pillars: deep AI integration, major developer enhancements, and substantial performance improvements.
What’s New in SQL Server 2025
SQL Server 2025 introduces advancements across three major areas:
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AI-powered search and intelligence
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Developer productivity and modern data types
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Analytics, performance, and cloud integration
Let’s explore each of these in detail.
Built-in AI and Vector Search
One of the headline features is native AI integration directly inside the database engine.
Vector Search for Semantic Queries
SQL Server 2025 includes built-in vector search, enabling semantic search based on meaning and similarity, not just keywords.
Unlike traditional full-text search, vector search allows developers to:
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Query data using natural language
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Find results based on semantic similarity
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Run AI-powered search locally, without requiring a GPU
Developers can host open-source embedding models (for example, from Hugging Face) and:
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Register them using
CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL -
Store embeddings using a new vector data type
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Generate embeddings via built-in T-SQL functions
Optimized Performance with Disk ANN
To support high-performance vector search, SQL Server 2025 introduces Disk Approximate Nearest Neighbor (DiskANN) indexing.
This moves what traditionally required in-memory processing onto optimized disk-based indexes—making semantic search practical even on modest hardware.
Multilingual AI Search
By swapping embedding models (such as Azure OpenAI multilingual embeddings via Azure OpenAI), SQL Server 2025 supports searching data in multiple languages without code changes—including Mandarin Chinese and more.
Developer Enhancements: JSON and Real-Time Streaming
Native JSON Data Type
SQL Server 2025 introduces a native JSON data type capable of storing up to 2 GB per document.
Developers can now:
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Insert and store JSON in its native format
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Extract values using
JSON_VALUE -
Query nested structures using
JSON_QUERY -
Aggregate JSON rows into arrays
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Modify JSON documents in place
JSON Indexing
A new JSON index allows fast searches inside deeply nested JSON documents.
Using the JSON_CONTAINS function, developers can efficiently filter JSON data while still benefiting from SQL features like joins, security, and execution plans.
Change Event Streaming for Real-Time Apps
SQL Server 2025 modernizes Change Data Capture with Change Event Streaming:
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Reduced I/O overhead
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Direct streaming of transaction log changes
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Native integration with Azure Event Hub
This enables real-time, event-driven architectures where applications can instantly react to inserts, updates, and deletes.
AI Agents in Action
In a live scenario, streamed order changes trigger an Azure Function, which calls an AI agent to:
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Analyze shipping delays
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Automatically change shipping providers
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Notify customers proactively
This demonstrates how SQL Server 2025 acts as the backbone for AI-driven automation.
Performance and Concurrency Improvements
Optimized Locking
A new feature, Optimize Locking, improves concurrency without requiring application code changes.
Key benefits:
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Prevents unnecessary lock escalation
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Reduces blocking between unrelated transactions
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Improves high-concurrency workloads
SQL Server 2025 also resolves issues such as lock-after-qualification, minimizing contention even further.
Advanced Analytics with Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft Fabric integration takes analytics to the next level.
Zero-Move Data Mirroring
SQL Server 2025 can mirror databases directly into Fabric:
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No data migration required
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Real-time replication
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Supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid scenarios
Cross-Database Analytics
By using Lakehouse shortcuts, teams can:
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Join multiple SQL Servers (even across clouds)
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Query data as a single unified schema
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Use Copilot, Power BI, and Fabric analytics tools seamlessly
This unlocks advanced analytics without complex ETL pipelines.
Getting Started with SQL Server 2025
The best way to explore these features is simple: start using it.
SQL Server 2025 is available now in public preview and can be installed on the platform of your choice. Developers and DBAs alike can experiment with AI, modern data types, and performance optimizations today.
Conclusion
SQL Server 2025 is more than an incremental release—it’s a fundamental evolution.
With native AI, powerful developer tools, smarter performance, and deep analytics integration, it sets a new standard for modern data platforms.
Whether you’re building AI-powered applications, event-driven systems, or large-scale analytics solutions, SQL Server 2025 is designed to meet the future head-on.