SQL Server 2025 - AI Search and Relational Algebra

Location: iO Associates, St Bartholomew's House, Bristol BS1 2NH.
Sponsored and Hosted by iO Associates (Tech & Digital recruitment specialists), we bring you an evening of Data and Networking.

AGENDA

18.00 – 18:25 Meet & Greet
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18:25 - 18:30 Introduction & Welcome
Welcome, and thanks to our sponsors
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18:30 - 19:15 Talk: The Burrito Bot: AI-Powered Search in SQL Server 2025 by Andrew Pruski

SQL Server 2025 introduces native vector support, enabling AI-powered semantic search directly inside the database engine. But what does that mean for data professionals and how does it actually work?

In this session, join Microsoft Data Platform MVP Andrew Pruski to break down the fundamentals of vector search and show exactly how SQL Server stores, indexes, and queries embeddings to deliver semantic search capabilities.

We’ll cover:

What embeddings are and how the vector data type works in SQL Server
How to generate and store embeddings using an external LLM
Performing searches using vector_search() and vector_distance()
How vector indexes (aka the DiskANN algorithm) work under the hood

We'll then bring it all together to build an intelligent, AI-driven application to...provide burrito restaurant recommendations in Ireland!

This session is ideal for data professionals and developers who want a practical understanding of SQL Server’s vector capabilities, with real demos and a real use case.

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19:00 - 19:30 Pizza and Networking
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19:30 - 20:15 Talk: Relational Algebra and SQL by Alex Cole

Relational Algebra is the computer science theory providing the logical basis for SQL and query optimisation. This knowledge gave me an edge as a junior analyst joining a team of experienced professionals. I could simplify and debug queries in ways my team members could not. I'll explain the basics of Relational Algebra and take you through an interactive demo to make the topic come alive.
Alex Cole is a principal architect specialising in Data and AI. He builds and runs tools used by the Databricks community, including Databricks Release Hub and Spark Koans, a browser-based platform for learning PySpark. He writes about data and architecture at www.alexcole.net. Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexcole01/

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20:15 - Social/Pub

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Speaker Bios
Please click speaker names for linkedin profiles.

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Photos
We ask that you do NOT take photos at this meetup.

We will invite people to be included in a group photo/s during the event. Speakers will let you know if it's okay to photograph their presentation (excluding other attendees).

You may see organisers taking photos during the talks. These will be of speakers, if they have agreed to this, and will not include faces of attendees.