MongoDB CEO Dev Ittycheria reflects on AI hype and the evolution of databases as he reaches 10-year milestone

Dev Ittycheria has been at the helm of MongoDB, the $26 billion database company, since September 2014, and a lot has happened under his leadership. From taking MongoDB to the cloud, overseeing its IPO, transitioning from open source, launching a venture capital arm, and growing the customer base to nearly 50,000, Ittycheria has been instrumental in the company’s success.

In a recent interview with TechCrunch at MongoDB’s new London office, Ittycheria discussed the company’s journey and the challenges it has faced along the way. Despite MongoDB’s growth, it hasn’t been without its setbacks, including a security breach that briefly risked its reputation in the industry.

One of the key topics of discussion was the AI revolution and the emergence of vector databases. Ittycheria highlighted how MongoDB has embraced vector search in its flagship product Atlas, preparing for the upcoming AI wave. By integrating vector search into its platform, MongoDB aims to simplify developers’ work and provide a comprehensive solution for managing data.

Ittycheria also touched on the hype surrounding AI, emphasizing the importance of building applications on top of AI technologies to unlock their true value. He believes that the real transformation will come when businesses leverage AI for real-time decision-making and sophisticated applications.

Furthermore, Ittycheria discussed MongoDB’s transition to a SaaS model with the launch of Atlas, which has become a significant revenue driver for the company. He also addressed the controversial shift from an open source license to a source-available license, highlighting the company’s rationale behind the decision.

Despite facing challenges such as a data breach and market volatility, MongoDB has continued to grow and evolve under Ittycheria’s leadership. With a focus on innovation, strategic investments through MongoDB Ventures, and a commitment to transparency and security, MongoDB is poised for continued success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.