Data infrastructure is no longer just about storage and speed; it’s about making artificial intelligence practical, powerful and secure for the enterprise. As organizations race to modernize, the priority has shifted to integrating AI directly into the platforms teams already use, without overhauling existing systems or sacrificing control.

That’s where SQL Server 2025 comes in. Designed to meet the growing demand for built-in intelligence, this latest release brings together the familiar tools data professionals rely on with new capabilities such as native vector search, isolated AI model execution and tight integration with modern hybrid hardware. And through Dell’s infrastructure, it scales seamlessly across on-premises and cloud environments, giving customers real flexibility with fewer compromises, according to Bob Ward (pictured, right), principal architect at Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft’s Bob Ward talks to theCUBE about data infrastructure.

“For Microsoft, we say data fuels AI. You don’t have to have that data,” Ward said. “SQL Server being this base of data for Dell customers for years. Now, all of a sudden customers can now build AI applications, but securely do it in the SQL engine itself, but communicate with AI models wherever they live, ground or cloud. If customers are thinking about, for example, Dell AI Factory, SQL Server ’25 just plugs into that, because we can communicate with any AI model wherever it lives.”

Ward and Rob Sonders (left), technical staff engineering technologist for platform automation and multicloud storage software at Dell Technologies Inc., spoke with theCUBE’s Savannah Peterson and Dave Vellante at Dell Technologies World, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how Microsoft and Dell Technologies are partnering to bring built-in AI capabilities and enhanced performance to modern enterprise data infrastructure through SQL Server 2025. (* Disclosure below.)

SQL Server 2025 brings built-in AI to enterprise data infrastructure

At the heart of the SQL Server 2025 upgrade is a clear goal: make AI feel like a natural extension of the database, not a bolt-on. With vector search now built directly into the engine, teams can execute AI-powered queries faster and more securely, without the added complexity of external tools or open-source plug-ins. This is about simplicity, speed and confidence, especially for organizations already invested in SQL, according to Ward.

“It is absolutely speed for sure, because we have one of the best query processors in the world,” he said. “We also have a new vector index on top of this data using disk and technology. A popular vector and disk technology from Microsoft, and then security’s paramount. People want to be very secure with their data. Why not co-locate all these vectors with the data you already have secure with all the security model you know and trust with SQL Server?”

Supporting that vision on the infrastructure side, Dell is making sure these new AI capabilities run at their best. From GPU-enabled PowerEdge servers to AX nodes designed for Azure Local, Dell’s hybrid architecture supports SQL Server across containers, Linux, Windows Server and more. Whether a customer needs to stay on-prem for compliance or wants to go full cloud, the infrastructure is in place, according to Sonders.

“We can use our GPU-enabled PowerEdges. We can use Windows Server 2025 GPU partitioning SQL Server there,” he added. “We also have our Dell AX nodes for Azure Local, the premier solution right there.”

Both companies are focused on delivering real-world results, helping customers not just talk about AI, but actually use it. The integration is deep, the possibilities are expanding and the goal is simple: Make data work smarter for everyone.

“We build the building blocks to use AI, but we don’t tell you what AI to use,” Ward noted. “We’re going to go look to Dell to steer their customers, what’s the right hardware? What’s the right capacity? What AI model should you use? SQL has all the plumbing and connection to use it.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of Dell Technologies World:

(* Disclosure: Dell Technologies Inc. and Microsoft Corp. sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither Dell Technologies, Microsoft nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE