Upgrading to Oracle 23ai: A Step-by-Step Guide to Oracle's Next-Gen Database

Oracle has raised the bar once again with the release of Oracle Database 23ai, a forward-looking evolution of its flagship database platform. Formerly referred to as Oracle 23c, the "ai" suffix underscores Oracle's pivot toward AI-integrated capabilities—bringing new levels of automation, data management, and performance enhancements.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through what’s new in Oracle 23ai and how to safely upgrade your existing Oracle database to this powerful new version.

What is Oracle 23ai?

Oracle 23ai is the long-term support (LTS) release in Oracle’s database lineup. It introduces groundbreaking features designed for developers, data scientists, and DBAs. Key highlights include:

  • AI Vector Search and Embedding Support: Designed for AI/ML and LLM apps.

  • JSON Relational Duality Views: Bridge relational and document models seamlessly.

  • SQL Domains and Property Graphs Enhancements

  • Automatic Index Optimization

  • Improved In-Memory Features and Multitenant Capabilities

If you're still on Oracle 19c or 21c, upgrading to 23ai is a game-changer.

Pre-Upgrade Checklist

Before you begin the upgrade process, make sure you:

  1. Review Minimum Requirements

    • OS compatibility (Linux x86-64, Solaris, etc.)

    • Memory: 2GB minimum (recommend 4GB+)

    • Disk Space: ~20GB free for binaries and data

  2. Install Latest OPatch

    • Ensure OPatch utility is updated ($ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch version)

  3. Backup Your Database

    • Full RMAN backup

    • Export metadata using expdp

  4. Download Oracle 23ai Software

    • Visit Oracle Software Delivery Cloud or Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Upgrade Methods

Oracle provides multiple upgrade paths depending on your current version:

1. AutoUpgrade Tool (Recommended)

Oracle’s AutoUpgrade utility (introduced in 19c) is the easiest and most robust method to upgrade to 23ai.


java -jar autoupgrade.jar -config myconfig.cfg -mode deploy

Example config file (myconfig.cfg):


global.autoupg_log_dir=/u01/app/autoupgrade/logs
upg1.dbname=ORCL
upg1.start_time=NOW
upg1.source_home=/u01/app/oracle/product/19.0.0/dbhome_1
upg1.target_home=/u01/app/oracle/product/23.0.0/dbhome_1
upg1.sid=orcl
upg1.log_dir=/u01/app/autoupgrade/logs/orcl

2. Manual Upgrade (DBUA or Command-Line)

You can also use:

  • DBUA (Database Upgrade Assistant) GUI

  • catctl.pl with the new Oracle 23ai home

Post-Upgrade Steps

Once the upgrade is complete, don’t forget to:

  1. Run post-upgrade checks

    • Use dba_registry, dba_objects, and AWR reports

  2. Recompile Invalid Objects


    @$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/admin/utlrp.sql

  3. Gather New Statistics


    EXEC DBMS_STATS.GATHER_DICTIONARY_STATS;

  4. Enable New Features (Optional)

    • JSON Duality Views

    • AI Vector indexes

Embracing the Future with Oracle 23ai

Oracle 23ai is not just a version bump—it’s a paradigm shift. With native AI support and deeper automation, it brings Oracle databases into the era of intelligent applications. Whether you're managing OLTP workloads or building modern apps, 23ai delivers unmatched versatility.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading to Oracle 23ai is a strategic move that will future-proof your infrastructure. It’s smarter, faster, and built for AI-native workloads. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, now is the time to plan your upgrade.


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