Learn from Microsoft Events speakers Anna Hoffman, Idris Motiwala, and Jeff Shood as they present how SQL in Microsoft Fabric enables unified transactional and analytical workloads for AI applications and analytics, including hands-on demos and architecture insights.

SQL Database in Microsoft Fabric: The Unified Database for AI Apps and Analytics

Session Speakers: Anna Hoffman, Idris Motiwala, Jeff Shood
Event: Microsoft Ignite 2025
Session ID: BRK220
Level: Intermediate (200)

Overview

This session introduces SQL in Fabric, emphasizing its ability to combine transactional and analytical workloads in a single, cloud-native database. Attendees will see how this unified approach streamlines the development of AI-powered applications and advanced analytics, leveraging integrated Azure SQL features and seamless connections to OneLake.

Key Topics Covered

• Unified Platform: Combining real-time transactional data with analytics and AI within Fabric.
• Azure SQL Database in Fabric: Deep dive into the underlying architecture and how it's been integrated into the Fabric ecosystem.
• Performance Tools: Overview of monitoring and diagnostics tools available for SQL Database in Fabric to ensure peak performance and reliability.
• AI-Powered Apps: Building AI assistants, using vector distance queries, and integrating AI directly within SQL workloads.
• Power BI Monitoring: Tracking AI usage and database activity with Power BI dashboards.
• Demos: Real-time intelligence scenarios, such as event streaming for fraud detection, showcasing democratized analytics and development.

Demo Highlights

• Building AI Assistants inside SQL Database in Fabric
• Using vector distance queries to enable advanced AI use cases
• Monitoring database and AI workload performance via Power BI
• Event streaming example for fraud detection in near real-time

Additional Resources

• Azure SQL AI Development Plans
• Microsoft Ignite On-Demand Sessions

Session Timeline Highlights

• 0:00 — Unified Platform: Real-Time Data and AI Integration
• 14:07 — Autonomous and Secure SQL Database Introduction
• 14:56 — Integrated Azure SQL Architecture Deep Dive
• 20:24 — Performance Monitoring and Diagnostics
• 25:49 — Building AI Assistants, Vector Distance Queries
• 26:42 — Power BI AI Usage Monitoring
• 28:03 — Event Streaming Demo (Fraud Detection)
• 36:55 — Democratized Development and AI-Driven Growth

Conclusion

This session demonstrates how SQL in Fabric empowers organizations to unify their data, drive real-time insights, and leverage AI for innovative solutions—all while simplifying architecture and integration challenges.

Speakers

• Anna Hoffman
• Idris Motiwala
• Jeff Shood