Vector search collapsed into the database

Specialized vector databases led the first wave of AI infrastructure. Then the incumbents — the general-purpose databases teams already run — added vector capabilities natively, removing the reason to operate a separate system for most workloads.

The specialized players are now competing on scale and features at the high end while the middle of the market consolidates.

Signal: a feature that becomes a checkbox on every incumbent is a feature, not a company. Plan accordingly.