22-25 April 2026 
The Database Strikes Back: Reclaiming Power in the AI-First Architecture
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
We'll explore the state-of-the-art in AI applications and the disruptive next step poised to reshape enterprise technology. This massive shift will empower data professionals, making their expertise essential to thrive in the future.
Session Details
Technology is constantly evolving, perpetually reshaping all job roles. This talk will discuss a major emerging architectural shift: how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming data professional roles and explore what these careers will look like in the near future.
We will begin by reviewing the general technology job life cycle to establish a framework for understanding disruption. We'll then examine modern AI applications demonstrating their present functionality and anticipating their future capabilities. With that context, we’ll discuss where current data roles are positioned on this cycle and contrast two possible, diverging future scenarios for data professionals.
We'll then dig into the technical aspects of the more empowered future and show that if we proactively navigate this new software landscape, we can successfully reclaim architectural control. This involves mastering new capabilities such as:
1. Granular Logic Enforcement: Ensuring the AI can only access and update data according to strict data governance policies and existing business logic rules.
2. Proactive Query Impact Analysis: Developing methods to understand and mitigate the performance impact of ad-hoc AI-generated queries on the database before they execute.
3. Data Transparency and Auditing: Guaranteeing complete visibility and accountability for all data access, including sensitive and personal data, for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes.
By mastering these challenges, we will demonstrate how the database can regain significant architectural power from the application layer and application developers, positioning the data platform itself as the central, most critical authority in the AI-driven enterprise.
We will begin by reviewing the general technology job life cycle to establish a framework for understanding disruption. We'll then examine modern AI applications demonstrating their present functionality and anticipating their future capabilities. With that context, we’ll discuss where current data roles are positioned on this cycle and contrast two possible, diverging future scenarios for data professionals.
We'll then dig into the technical aspects of the more empowered future and show that if we proactively navigate this new software landscape, we can successfully reclaim architectural control. This involves mastering new capabilities such as:
1. Granular Logic Enforcement: Ensuring the AI can only access and update data according to strict data governance policies and existing business logic rules.
2. Proactive Query Impact Analysis: Developing methods to understand and mitigate the performance impact of ad-hoc AI-generated queries on the database before they execute.
3. Data Transparency and Auditing: Guaranteeing complete visibility and accountability for all data access, including sensitive and personal data, for regulatory compliance and auditing purposes.
By mastering these challenges, we will demonstrate how the database can regain significant architectural power from the application layer and application developers, positioning the data platform itself as the central, most critical authority in the AI-driven enterprise.
3 things you'll get out of this session
Reassurance: Show attendees that AI disruption isn't new. By understanding the tech job cycle , they'll see how technology often makes roles better and more powerful, not redundant.
Optimism: Give a solid glimpse into a future where the data professional's skills aren't just relevant, but are essential and highly valued, putting them back in control.
Strategy: Understand the state of the art in AI applications, and lay out the technical must-haves so attendees can leave with a clear plan to thrive in this new, AI-driven world.