Oracle AI Database 26ai Enterprise Edition for Linux x86-64 Arrives On-Premises January 2026

Oracle AI Database 26ai is coming on-prem in January 2026

Big news for teams building products on enterprise data stacks. Oracle AI Database 26ai Enterprise Edition for Linux x86-64 will ship in January 2026 as part of the quarterly Release Update (version 23.26.1).

The same AI-native database that's running as an Oracle-managed service on OCI, Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS - plus Oracle engineered systems - is arriving for on-premises Linux x86-64. That means you can align cloud and data center architectures, move faster on AI features, and hit security and performance targets wherever your data sits.

What 26ai brings to your data center

26ai merges AI features directly into the database engine. For product teams, that cuts glue work and reduces latency between data, models, and app features.

• AI Vector Search: Build semantic search, RAG, personalization, and anomaly detection without shipping embeddings to a separate service.
• Globally distributed database with RAFT-based replication: Strongly consistent, fault-tolerant replication modeled on Raft consensus for multi-region apps.
• In-database SQL firewall: Enforce query-level controls closer to the data to reduce exposure and tighten least-privilege execution.
• Quantum-resistant encryption: Future-oriented cryptography options to safeguard long-lived data.
• True Cache: Low-latency reads to keep UX snappy while protecting write paths.
• JSON Relational Duality: Model in JSON, query relationally, and avoid painful schema trade-offs.
• Apache Iceberg Lakehouse support: Interoperate with open table formats and analytics stacks powered by Apache Iceberg.
• Plus hundreds more features spanning performance, manageability, and security.

Why product teams should care

Your roadmap benefits when the database handles AI workloads natively and stays consistent across cloud and on-prem. Fewer moving parts, clearer SLOs, and simpler deployment stories.

• Unified architecture: Standardize services across OCI, Azure, Google Cloud, AWS, and on-prem Linux x86-64.
• Faster feature delivery: Vector search and dual models (JSON + relational) shorten the path from prototype to production.
• Built-in security: SQL firewall and modern encryption reduce risk without bolting on extra layers.
• Compliance and data locality: Keep sensitive workloads on-prem while matching cloud features.
• Less integration overhead: Fewer external systems to scale, secure, and monitor.

Rollout checklist for product development

• Target platform: Confirm Linux x86-64 and your quarterly Release Update process (23.26.1 in January 2026).
• Feature adoption plan: Identify immediate wins (Vector Search for semantic features, Iceberg for analytics, JSON Relational Duality for model flexibility, True Cache for read-heavy endpoints).
• Global topology: Map regions and failover using RAFT-based replication; document consistency expectations per service.
• Security baseline: Define SQL firewall policies, encryption requirements, and key management procedures.
• DevEx updates: Add vector pipelines and schema-as-code to CI/CD; include performance tests and regression checks for AI queries.
• Migration path: Run shadow traffic and canary releases; validate query plans, latency, and cost profiles.
• SLOs and observability: Establish latency/error budgets for vector workloads and cross-region writes; tune cache behavior.
• Enablement: Upskill engineers on AI database patterns. For curated options, see AI tool databases training.

Key dates and support

Availability: January 2026 via the quarterly Release Update (version 23.26.1) for Oracle AI Database 26ai Enterprise Edition on Linux x86-64.

For release timelines and support schedules, refer to My Oracle Support (MOS) Doc ID: 742060.1. For capability overviews, check the official announcements and videos from Oracle as they roll out.

What to do next

• Book capacity and environment prep for the January RU window.
• Prioritize one or two high-impact features (Vector Search, SQL firewall) for a pilot service.
• Draft your cross-region plan with RAFT-based replication and define test cases for failover.
• Align security controls and update your data classification policy for quantum-resistant encryption options.