The Database Market Is Booming
Here’s a fact that surprises many people: SQL has been around since the early 1970s. And in 2026, it is more relevant and more in-demand than at any point in its history. The global database management system market is projected to grow from $149.65 billion in 2026 to $406.03 billion by 2034 — a compound annual growth rate of 13.29%. Because data is now the most valuable asset most organisations possess, and the ability to store, query, analyse, and govern that data is foundational to every digital business operation.
AI Can Write SQL — But You Still Need to Understand It
Gartner predicts that non-technical users will create 75% of new data integration flows using AI tools that translate plain English into SQL queries. But here’s the reality: AI-generated SQL requires human oversight. Incorrect query logic can produce subtly wrong results that look plausible but aren’t. Understanding how databases work — relationships, normalisation, indexing, joins — is what allows you to validate, debug, and optimise what AI generates.
Modern Database Trends Reshaping the Landscape
- PostgreSQL as the AI-ready database — now serving as an extensible platform for vector storage and ML inference
- Open table formats — Apache Iceberg and Delta Lake allow querying the same data with SQL, Spark, Python, and ML tools without duplication
- SQL:2023 standard — introduces property graph queries (SQL/PGQ), allowing graph-based relationship analysis directly in SQL
- DataOps — treating data pipelines with the same rigour as software development
From Access to SQL Server: IACT Has Your Database Training Covered
- Introduction to Databases and SQL — the essentials of querying and managing relational data
- SQL Server Installation and Administration — enterprise database management on Microsoft SQL Server
- Access for Beginners — build your own databases without complex infrastructure
- Access Advanced — queries, forms, reports, and macros for power users
Data fluency is one of the most transferable and valued skills in 2026. Build your database foundations with IACT and turn raw data into real insight.