Malta Microsoft Data Platform User Group

Join us at the Microsoft Malta office for another evening of technical
learning and networking around the Microsoft Data Platform.
Two sessions. One foundational. One deep.
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🧠 Session 1 — From ML to AI Agents: The Journey That Changed Everything
◆ The Data Introduction Session
Before we talk about SQL Server 2025, we need to speak the same language.
This session tells the story of AI from the beginning:
→ From ML and its narrow, task-specific roots
→ To large language models and the generative AI explosion that followed
→ To the agent landscape everyone is navigating but few have clearly mapped
Models, agents, assistants, copilots, skills, tools — and the very different
types of agents hiding behind the same word.
You will leave with a mental model that makes every AI conversation,
and every vendor pitch, easier to evaluate.
◆ No prior AI experience required.
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🗄️ Session 2 — SQL Server 2025 News: AI Integration and More
◆ The Main Session
SQL Server 2025 marks a turning point for Microsoft's flagship database engine.
This is the honest version of the story.
→ The vector journey from Azure SQL to what SQL Server 2025 delivers in RTM
→ What is GA, what is still in preview, and what that means for production
→ DiskANN vector indexes, AI_GENERATE_EMBEDDINGS, AI_GENERATE_CHUNKS
→ CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL — calling LLMs without leaving SQL Server
→ Fuzzy string functions: EDIT_DISTANCE, Jaro, and when NOT to use vectors
Build semantic search and RAG pipelines inside the database.
No separate vector store required.
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🤝 Networking
The evening includes time to connect before and after the sessions.
Whether you are deep in the Microsoft Data Platform or just getting started,
this is your space to ask questions and exchange ideas with the community.

📍 Microsoft Malta Office