Oracle Corporation has long been a household name in enterprise software, databases, and cloud infrastructure. At ABC Silicon Valley 2025, we visited Oracle to explore its work in AI and AI agents. There, we heard from Ognjen Pavlovic, Group VP of Product Management, who discussed Oracle’s work in this space and also shared career advice and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, giving participants a perspective that went beyond the technical discussion.
Oracle: History, Milestones & Why It’s a Leader
Oracle began in 1977, when it was founded by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates. At the start, the company focused on relational databases and SQL. Oracle expanded its offerings far beyond just database software.
Oracle has built its reputation on decades of innovation. It began in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the launch of the Oracle Database. At that time, relational databases were a brand-new concept. Oracle soon became the top choice for many businesses because it offered a dependable way to store and organize large amounts of data. With the passage of time, Oracle expanded through strategic acquisitions, including PeopleSoft, Siebel, and Sun Microsystems, cementing its dominance in enterprise applications and infrastructure.
In 2001, Oracle also made a big innovation by introducing Real Application Clusters (RAC). A few years later, in 2016, Oracle started a new chapter and introduced Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). OCI has since expanded into a global platform with core services like bare-metal servers, compute, storage, and networking.
Our Visit at ABC Silicon Valley 2025: Sharing Valuable Lessons
During ABC Silicon Valley 2025, we had the opportunity to visit Oracle with our participants. What stood out from the experience? Let’s take a look!
AI / AI Agents Focus
These agents are intelligent software systems designed to perform tasks autonomously. They rely on capabilities such as learning, planning, and interacting with users or other systems. Oracle is now focused on making its cloud services more “agent-friendly,” enabling seamless integration and deployment of such technologies.
Career Advice
Beyond the technical discussion, we also heard valuable lessons on career growth. The emphasis was on hard work, adaptability, and focusing on impact rather than credentials. Choosing the right environment, whether it’s a growing market, a strong product area, or a supportive manager, can make a big difference. Just as important is continuously building both technical expertise and communication skills, which become essential as responsibilities grow.
What We Learned from Oracle’s Experts
Our discussion with Oracle’s expert covered both the technical and the personal sides of innovation. On the one hand, we explored how the company is advancing AI and intelligent agents within its cloud ecosystem. On the other hand, we heard valuable advice on career growth—emphasizing hard work, adaptability, and the importance of building both technical expertise and communication skills. Together, these perspectives offered participants a well-rounded view of the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s technology landscape.
What’s Happening Now: Oracle’s Big Moves & the OpenAI Deal
Building on these discussions about AI, it’s impossible to overlook one of the biggest recent developments: Oracle’s landmark deal with OpenAI. Here are the main highlights and what they mean:
- Oracle and OpenAI have agreed on a massive $300 billion deal for cloud computing power. The agreement, set to begin in 2027, will run for five years. This makes Oracle one of the key providers of infrastructure for OpenAI’s growing needs.
- A big part of this plan is “Project Stargate,” which calls for a $500 billion investment over the next four years to build new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States. This project brings together Oracle, OpenAI, and other partners like SoftBank and MGX.
- The project is massive in scale. Reports say it could include new facilities with up to 4.5 gigawatts of capacity. That amount of power is needed to handle the growing demand for heavy computing tasks.
Conclusion
Oracle’s presence in the real world comes from decades of innovation, which include relational databases, acquisitions, and cloud services. It has steadily built the pieces needed to become a leader in infrastructure. Oracle’s recent deal with OpenAI and the rise in its stock show that the company sees AI and cloud computing as very important. Oracle seems well-prepared, using its experience as a springboard for future growth.
