Databases used for mission-critical activities, or for enterprise data analysis, present special challenges. Mission-critical transactional databases must not only be always available, but they must deliver excellent transaction throughput. Database administrators (DBAs), often overwhelmed, are constantly working within the database system, managing storage allocation to boost performance, and monitoring and maintaining the database itself. Can AI change this paradigm? This IDC Perspective examines the initial launch of Oracle Autonomous Database, powered by machine learning, and provides advice for IT departments that are considering adding automation to their data management toolbox.