The “Experts and Rock Stars” panel discussion at Oracle AI World 2025, held from October 13-16, 2025, provided an engaging platform for prominent experts within the AI and MySQL communities. This particular session, taking place on October 15, 2025, featured a distinguished lineup of panelists who shared their insights on current challenges, advancements, and user experiences surrounding MySQL and its integration with AI technologies.
Panel Participants
The panel included five notable figures, each representing a wealth of experience and expertise:
Victor Oisaghie, Ecobank
– Technology Product Operations
– Celebrated for achieving best performance across VAST (West Africa, Southern Africa, and North Africa) in the Financial Services sector.
– A dual-threat rockstar with passions for tennis and chess, Victor discussed the utilization of MySQL and its geographical versatility.
Vinicius Grippa, Percona
– Lead Database Engineer and Oracle ACE Director
– A recognized MySQL Rockstar and co-author of Learning MySQL, Vinicius brought his expertise in database engineering and a passion for running to the discussion, examining how MySQL shines particularly in replication scenarios.
Arnaud Adant, Jump Trading
– Database Team Lead with over 20 years of database experience.
– An original member of Oracle MySQL since 2011 with a diverse background spanning technical support to cutting-edge database management. Arnaud’s interests included ping pong and reading ancient Chinese texts, alongside his role as an author of the Huaying Chinese dictionary iOS app. His insights on community-driven improvements were crucial for users navigating the evolving landscape of MySQL.
Mark Matthews
– Lead Architect for Oracle’s MySQL HeatWave cloud service, Mark has been influential in MySQL’s development, creating the original Java connector and steering many innovations. His rockstar persona as an electric lead guitarist mirrors his dynamic contributions to the MySQL ecosystem.
Mike Frank
– A stalwart in MySQL Product Management since 2008, Mike is a security expert known for authoring the CIS Benchmark and DISA STIG. His rockstar persona, humorously dubbed “Bad Hair,” underlines his extensive work on MySQL features and products throughout the years.
Discussion Themes
The discussion addressed various critical themes facing MySQL users, which included:
Use Cases and Features of MySQL: Participants explored specific use cases for MySQL and shared their favorite features, highlighting the platform’s robustness and reliability.
Replication and Geographic Support: Victor emphasized MySQL’s shine in replication, especially regarding its compatibility with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and HeatWave, while addressing concerns for scalability across different geographies.
MySQL vs. PostgreSQL: An ongoing debate surfaced concerning why numerous unicorns, including Uber, have transitioned back from PostgreSQL to MySQL, leading to reflections on the competitive advantages MySQL holds over its counterparts.
AI Integration: Panelists discussed MySQL HeatWave’s recent enhancements with AI capabilities, noting the mixed reactions from users and the excitement around integrating these tools into daily workflows.
Community and Human Element: A firm consensus emerged about ensuring that even as AI becomes integral to workflows, the human element remains vital in validating results to maintain quality.
Future Innovations and Upgrades: The conversation wrapped around strategies for upgrading MySQL, addressing the importance of the MySQL Long-Term Support (LTS) model and considerations about choosing MySQL over alternatives like MariaDB.
Audience Engagement
Audience participation contributed significantly to the depth of the discussion, prompting dialogues surrounding practical challenges users encounter and solutions that can be implemented. Feedback from attendees indicated a highly positive reception, with Vinicius Grippa noting an impressive turnout of over 20,000 participants engaged in exploring the latest innovations in AI and MySQL.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the panel concluded, there was palpable enthusiasm regarding Oracle’s strategic focus on AI and its implications for future MySQL offerings. Participants expressed optimism about continuous collaboration and the evolution of database management in response to emerging technologies.
We invite you to join us for the next Oracle AI World planned for next year, from October 26-29, 2026, in Las Vegas, NV. This upcoming event promises to build on the insights shared during the 2025 conference and continue fostering a collaborative environment for users eager to harness the full potential of AI and database technologies.
Oracle remains committed to enhancing user engagement and promoting the integration of innovative solutions that empower businesses worldwide. Stay tuned for updates on speakers, sessions, and registration details. We look forward to welcoming you to another groundbreaking conference!