Beginning on September 15, 2026, Oracle will change the default database version used when creating or cloning an Autonomous AI Database Serverless instance. The default database version will change from 19c to 26ai.
Today, if a database version is not explicitly specified when creating or cloning a database through the Oracle Cloud Console, API, CLI, SDKs, Terraform, or other automation tools, the service defaults to 19c. After September 15, 2026, the service will instead default to 26ai.
How will this affect my service?
This change affects only newly created or cloned Autonomous AI Database Serverless instances where the database version is not explicitly specified.
If your provisioning workflows, scripts, automation, or operational procedures currently rely on the service defaulting to 19c, then after September 15, 2026, those newly provisioned databases will instead be created using 26ai.
Existing Autonomous AI Database Serverless instances will not be affected by this change.
What action should I take?
Oracle recommends reviewing any database creation or cloning workflows before September 15, 2026.
If you require new databases to continue using 19c in a region where 19c is offered, you should update your provisioning processes to explicitly specify the desired database version rather than relying on the service default.
Use the following setting for your provisioning method:
- Oracle Cloud Console: Under Configure the database, select Oracle Database 19c in the Choose database version field. See Provision an Autonomous AI Database Instance and Clone an Autonomous AI Database Instance.
- REST API or OCI SDKs: Set the dbVersion attribute in the CreateAutonomousDatabase request:
"dbVersion": "19c"
See the CreateAutonomousDatabase API reference. In SDKs, follow the naming convention for the applicable language; for example, the OCI SDK for Python uses db_version.
- OCI CLI: Add the following option to your existing create or clone command:
--db-version 19c
See the OCI CLI references for autonomous-database create and autonomous-database create-from-clone. Both commands expose the –db-version option.
- Terraform: Set db_version in the oci_database_autonomous_database resource:
db_version = "19c"
See the OCI Terraform provider documentation for oci_database_autonomous_database.
If Oracle AI Database 26ai is your desired version for newly created or cloned databases, no change is required unless you prefer to explicitly specify the version for predictable provisioning behavior.
Why is Oracle making this change?
Oracle Autonomous AI Database 26ai is the latest release and provides access to the newest Autonomous AI Database capabilities, features, and enhancements. Changing the default version helps ensure that newly provisioned Autonomous AI Database Serverless instances benefit from the latest Oracle Database innovations by default.
How can I learn more?
For information about 26ai and supported database versions for Autonomous AI Database Serverless, please refer to the Autonomous AI Database documentation.
How can I contact Oracle with further questions regarding this announcement?
If you have questions about preparing for this change, please contact us through the Autonomous AI Database customer forum or create a Service Request (SR) through My Oracle Support.