Bob Ward is a Principal Architect for the Microsoft Azure Data team, which owns the development for Microsoft SQL Ground to Cloud. Bob has worked for Microsoft for 31 years on every version of SQL Server shipped from OS/2 1.1 to SQL Server 2022 including Azure SQL. Bob is a well-known speaker on SQL Server, Azure SQL, AI, and Microsoft Fabric often presenting talks on new releases, internals, and specialized topics at events such as SQLBits, Microsoft Build, Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, Fabric Community Conference, and VS Live. You can also learn Azure SQL from him on the popular series aka.ms/azuresql4beginners. You can follow him at @bobwardms or linkedin.com/in/bobwardms. Bob is the author of the books Pro SQL Server on Linux, SQL Server 2019 Revealed, Azure SQL Revealed, SQL Server 2022 Revealed, and Azure SQL Revealed 2nd Edition available from Apress Media.
Sessions Presenting
7:30 PM - 8:15 PM Greenwich Mean Time
Data is the fuel for innovation, driving the development of transformative applications and artificial intelligence (AI). This session will explore how harnessing the power of data across the Azure databases portfolio can lead to groundbreaking advancements that enhance operational efficiency, deliver personalized user experiences, and revolutionize the way we interact with technology.
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM Greenwich Mean Time
In this session, we will explore the roadmap of SQL Server including future capabilities for AI applications deeply integrated into the security zone of the SQL Server engine. We will also show you AI assisted experiences to help you manage SQL Server including tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Query Store, Intelligent Query Processing and Azure Arc. Learn how AI can streamline your workflow, reduce context switching, and boost overall efficiency.
7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time
AI is only as good as the apps it infuses into, the data it uses to model and train, and the infrastructure that powers it. Is your technology estate ready to scale and innovate with AI? Learn how migrating to Azure enables faster time-to-value and code-to-security for your AI solutions at scale. See new capabilities, testimonials and end-to-end demos of migration to Azure, creating a GenAI app in Azure OpenAI Service, and securing it in the cloud with Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
9:45 PM - 10:30 PM Greenwich Mean Time
GenAI applications and Copilots are transforming the SQL experience. Join us to learn how Microsoft delivers an optimal platform for new AI workloads using vectors and RAG patterns, while ensuring ROI, performance, and security your business demands today. Discover the latest innovations for Azure SQL for gen AI applications and database context-aware Copilots, powered by Azure SQL Database Hyperscale. Ensure your SQL estate is future-ready in this era of intelligent applications and analytics.
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time
See the latest tools and experiences in action built to give you tailor-made recommendations and guidance on how to modernize your SQL estate. We’ll show you how you can migrate workloads to Azure in minutes in one frictionless experience.
