Nov 7, 2026, 2:00 pm @SQL, Operational Data

Query Store and SSMS Copilot - Who Is the Fairest in the Land

How can we use AI Assistance and GitHub Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to simplify the analysis of SQL Server performance issues? In this session, we will explore how specific AI prompts can be used to analyze the data available in Query Store and investigate SQL Server workloads over a specific period of time. Following a step-by-step troubleshooting approach, we will use Copilot to identify the main performance bottlenecks by analyzing CPU usage, waits, locking, query regressions, and other relevant performance indicators. We will then see how AI can help interpret the collected data, identify the potential causes of performance issues, and assess which ones are the most likely based on the available evidence. In the final part of the session, we will also explore how Copilot can help identify potential corrective actions. The entire analysis will be performed without requiring prior knowledge of the T-SQL queries needed to retrieve information from Query Store. Finally, we will discover how Copilot Agent Skills can transform a sequence of prompts and checks into a repeatable and reusable analysis process, simplifying recurring SQL Server performance troubleshooting activities.