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  • Google Cloud and Cloudflare apologize for outage🌩️|Couchbase surges 384%📈|Meta Makes $14.3 Billion Investment in Scale AI, Acquires 49% Stake

Google Cloud and Cloudflare apologize for outage🌩️|Couchbase surges 384%📈|Meta Makes $14.3 Billion Investment in Scale AI, Acquires 49% Stake

Alex Wang + META, A billionaire hires another billionaire, all in the name of data

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What’s in today’s newsletter:

Also, check out the the weekly Deep Dive - Scale AI and the quest for training data, and the new section, “Everything Else in Cloud Databases”.

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GCP

TL;DR: Google Cloud and Cloudflare recently suffered a major outage affecting numerous users, raising concerns about their operational dependencies, service reliability, and the need for improved contingency protocols.

  • Google Cloud and Cloudflare experienced a major outage, disrupting services for many users across multiple platforms.

  • The outage lasted several hours, causing significant service interruptions for businesses relying on both providers.

  • Cloudflare faced issues while operating on Google Cloud infrastructure, highlighting their operational dependencies and vulnerabilities.

  • Both companies issued apologies and need to enhance contingency protocols to improve future service reliability.

Why this matters: The outage reveals the critical dependency businesses have on major cloud providers. It underscores the urgent need for robust contingency plans and raises awareness about the risks of cloud centralization, urging companies to diversify reliance to safeguard against future disruptions and protect their operations and revenue streams.

NOSQL

TL;DR: Couchbase Inc. shares surged 384% on June 17 due to positive quarterly results and strategic partnerships, indicating a bullish outlook for the tech sector, especially in cloud-based services.

  • Couchbase Inc. experienced a remarkable trading increase of 384% on June 17, attracting significant investor interest.

  • Positive quarterly results and strategic partnerships contributed to the company's strong revenue growth and competitive position.

  • The trading surge suggests a bullish outlook for the tech sector, particularly regarding cloud-based services and solutions.

  • Continued growth may draw institutional investors, potentially shifting market dynamics and driving innovation within the sector.

Why this matters: Couchbase's 384% trading surge highlights investor confidence in cloud database solutions amidst a dynamic tech landscape. This performance could inspire institutional investment and spark industry-wide innovation, underscoring cloud capabilities' pivotal role in enterprise advancements, potentially reshaping market dynamics and intensifying competition within the tech sector.

VECTOR DATABASE

TL;DR: Milvus's latest update streamlines unstructured data management, reduces costs, and enhances performance, enabling small to mid-sized enterprises to leverage AI and accelerate innovation through improved data analytics.

  • The latest Milvus update enhances performance, enabling processing of vast datasets at unprecedented speeds.

  • Enhanced user-friendly interface and better integration capabilities simplify database management for organizations.

  • Milvus updates democratize access to powerful data management tools for small to mid-sized enterprises.

  • These advancements promise to accelerate innovation cycles, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to market changes.

Why this matters: By reducing the barriers to using sophisticated vector databases, Milvus empowers smaller firms to harness AI capabilities once dominated by larger companies. This democratization of technology not only promotes competitiveness but also fosters innovation across diverse market sectors, influencing how data-driven insights shape strategic business decisions.

AZURE

TL;DR: Microsoft developed SQL Server 2025 through community engagement, addressing user needs with significant updates, which may influence future tech development and foster customer loyalty through collaborative innovation.

  • Microsoft developed SQL Server 2025 through a collaborative effort, prioritizing community engagement and user feedback.

  • The new version includes significant updates such as improved performance, security features, and advanced analytics capabilities.

  • User pain points were addressed by integrating community suggestions, ensuring the product meets real-world needs effectively.

  • This community-driven approach sets a precedent for future tech releases, promoting customer loyalty and engagement.

Why this matters: By embedding user feedback into SQL Server 2025's development, Microsoft exemplifies a transformative shift towards participatory tech innovation. This strategy not only enhances product relevance but also builds user trust and loyalty, setting a new standard that could redefine software lifecycle management across the industry.

EVERYTHING ELSE IN CLOUD DATABASES

  • Enterprise data cloud: vital evolution for platforms

  • TigerData: Revolutionizing PostgreSQL for AI apps!

  • DataStrike boosts open-source database biz 600%

  • Diskover secures $7.5M seed funding for data innovation

  • Speed up access to transactional data using Amazon SageMaker

  • IBM simplifies data stack for GenAI evolution

  • Neptune hires ICP for automated market making

  • Snowflake's Acxiom deal boosts stock performance

  • Databricks unveils One Lake and Flow Designer tools

  • PuppyGraph enhances Databricks with Iceberg support

  • Databricks launches Agent Bricks for AI development

  • HDInsight Hive activity now supports on-demand queries

DEEP DIVE
Scale AI and the quest for training data

I listened to the Shawn Ryan podcast about a week and a half ago while doing my evening chef duties, and heard the story about Alexandr Wang. His background and what is company accomplished is beyond astounding. Then a few days later, “Zuck”, made a “strategic move” and made a 49% stake in Scale AI.

I know what you might be thinking. “Isn’t this a database newsletter?”. Yes it is but this story of Scale AI and META has the subtext of data, no matter how it is being portrayed in the media.

I stress to you that data is as important as ever. News of AI and Machine Learning is now at a fever pitch around the world, but all of the language model training relies on data. I can’t convey how important data is. And therein lies the opportunity for us to capitalize on this frenzy.

Let me give you an example of the intertwining of data and AI/ML. This past Saturday morning I sat for and passed the Google Machine Learning Certification exam. This 2 hour masochistic ordeal had me questioning my life choices.

But one thing I thought was really impressive from GCP while preparing for the exam, is the ability to create machine learning models via SQL statements. That is incredibly powerful. This is what I mean by the intertwining of data and AI/ML.

All I am saying in this missive is that data will always be important, and is even more precious if Meta is willing to part with nearly $15 Billion to buy Scale AI.

And what do you get from my weekly deep dive. An even deeper dive into the Scale AI acquisition.

Gladstone Benjamin