SQL Server 2025 Vector Embedding

Location: Virtual (via Microsoft Teams) - Use the link to add yourself to Teams meeting using AI: https://calendly.com/ferrellcarr-ferrellcarr/meetup?month=2025-11

Join us for an engaging meetup diving into the cutting-edge world of vector embeddings and semantic search powered by SQL Server 2025. Inspired by the practical demo in Bob Ward's video "Getting Started with Vector Searches in SQL Server 2025", we'll explore how to transform your database queries from keyword-based to AI-driven, meaning-based searches. Whether you're a DBA, developer, or AI enthusiast, this session will equip you with actionable skills to integrate vector capabilities directly into your SQL workflows.

#### What You'll Learn:

• Fundamentals of Vector Embeddings: Understand how embeddings convert text (like product descriptions or user queries) into numerical vectors using LLMs like Azure OpenAI's text-embedding-ada-002. We'll cover cosine similarity for measuring semantic relevance and why this beats traditional LIKE queries for fuzzy, multilingual searches.
• SQL Server 2025 Superpowers: Hands-on with native features like the VECTOR data type, VECTOR_DISTANCE function, and sp_invoke_external_rest_endpoint for calling AI APIs from T-SQL. See live demos storing embeddings in dedicated tables (e.g., for AdventureWorks products) and querying top similar results with TOP and ORDER BY.
• Loading Models via Azure AI Foundry: Step-by-step guide to deploying embedding models in Azure AI Foundry—the unified platform for building and managing AI apps. We'll walk through:

1. Logging into the Azure AI Foundry Portal.
2. Selecting and deploying a model (e.g., text-embedding-3-small via "Use this model" > "Deploy").
3. Retrieving your API endpoint and key for secure integration.
4. Authenticating in SQL Server with CREATE DATABASE SCOPED CREDENTIAL and generating embeddings on-the-fly using AI_GENERATE_EMBEDDINGS.

• Real-World Demo: Replicate the video's bike product search—generate embeddings for "budget-friendly bike," store them in a vector column, and run similarity queries that surface multilingual matches like "entry-level adult bike" in English or French.

#### Agenda:

• 6:00 PM - 6:15 PM: Welcome & Video Highlights (Quick recap of Bob Ward's essentials).
• 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM: Azure AI Foundry Hands-On (Live model deployment & SQL integration).
• 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM: Deep Dive into SQL Server 2025 Vector Features (Code walkthroughs & Q&A).
• 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Open Discussion, Networking, & Lightning Talks (Share your AI-in-DB challenges!).

#### Prerequisites:

• Basic T-SQL knowledge.
• Access to SQL Server 2025 Preview (free download) or Azure SQL Database.
• Azure subscription for AI Foundry (we'll provide a trial setup guide).

This meetup is perfect for teams building RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) apps, semantic search tools, or AI-enhanced analytics. Sponsored by [Your Group/Company]. Bring your laptops for interactive exercises!