Indy BI User Group Meeting

Welcome to our Indy BI PASS User Group meeting!

Presenter: Benjamin Weissman

Topic: REST APIs, AI and Vectors in SQL Server 2025

Abstract: Vector search is at the core of modern AI applications, powering recommendation engines, semantic search, and image recognition. Traditionally, implementing vector-based queries required adding a dedicated vector database, introducing complexity and additional infrastructure. But with SQL Server 2025, you can now store, query, and optimize vector embeddings natively - all within your existing environment, running entirely on-premises.

Why does this matter? For organizations needing full control over their data, SQL Server 2025 enables AI-powered search without relying on external cloud services or third-party databases.

In this demo-driven session, we'll start with how REST APIs are integrated into SQL Server 2025 as they are not only a cool feature on their own but also a prequisite to integrate AI into your workloads. We’ll keep going by looking at what vectors are, why they’re essential for AI applications, and how SQL Server 2025 simplifies vector search. You'll learn how to store and query vector embeddings efficiently, explore real-world scenarios like AI-powered recommendations and intelligent search, and discover best practices for indexing and optimizing performance. Of course, we’ll also take a look on what you’ll need to get going right away in your own environment!

Bio: Ben has been working with SQL Server since SQL Server 6.5, mainly in the BI/Datawarehousing field.

He is a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, an author of multiple books and video courses as well as a regular speaker at national and international events.

Ben is also a co-organizer of events like DataGrillen, New Stars of Data, SQL Konferenz, Data Left Unattended, Data Saturday Rheinland and Vienna, dataminutes, dativerse as well as a volunteer and mentor for many other Data Platform events.

Please RSVP so we can order the appropriate amount of food for our gathering!