Oracle Database 26ai: New Features DBAs Should Test First
The Oracle Database 26ai beta went live last week. My manager sent the email: "Download it. Test it. Report back on Monday with what breaks."
I spent 72 hours testing every major feature Oracle advertised. Some lived up to the hype. Others... didn't. Here's what you actually need to test first, based on what will impact production databases most.
Oracle 26ai isn't just another version bump with minor bug fixes. This release introduces AI-driven query optimization, native vector search for machine learning workloads, property graph enhancements, and automated schema evolution. If your organization is considering adopting any of these features, this guide shows you exactly what to test and what production gotchas to watch for.
This isn't marketing hype—it's a DBA's practical testing roadmap based on early access to 26ai. If you're evaluating whether to upgrade, these are the features that matter most and the tests that separate real value from vendor promises.