Software

Oracle unveils Java 26 with AI, security enhancements and new developer portfolio

Oracle has released Java 26, the latest version of its widely used programming language and development platform, introducing a range of updates aimed at improving developer productivity, performance, and integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced security features.

The new release, also known as Oracle JDK 26, includes thousands of enhancements designed to simplify the language and accelerate application development. Alongside the update, Oracle introduced the Java Verified Portfolio (JVP), a curated suite of enterprise-grade tools, frameworks, and services supported by the company.

Java 26 was showcased at JavaOne 2026, held in Redwood Shores, California, highlighting Oracle’s continued focus on evolving the platform for modern enterprise and cloud-native environments.

Focus on performance, AI and security

The latest version brings several key upgrades across language features, performance, and security. Enhancements to pattern matching and concurrency aim to streamline coding and improve reliability, particularly for AI-driven and cloud-native workloads.

Performance improvements include updates to the G1 garbage collector to increase throughput and reduce infrastructure costs, while Project Leyden features aim to accelerate application startup times. The platform also adds support for HTTP/3, enabling faster and more reliable communication for microservices and API-driven applications.

Security updates focus on strengthening cryptographic capabilities and reducing vulnerabilities. New features help developers manage encryption more efficiently, while changes such as the removal of the legacy Applet API aim to improve overall platform stability and security.

New tools and ecosystem expansion

A key highlight of the release is the introduction of the Java Verified Portfolio, which provides developers with access to a vetted collection of tools and frameworks, including commercial support for JavaFX and the Helidon microservices framework.

Oracle said the portfolio is designed to simplify lifecycle management and reduce software supply chain risks by offering fully supported, enterprise-ready components. Helidon, an open-source framework for building lightweight, scalable microservices and AI applications, will see its release cycle aligned with Java updates and may be proposed as an OpenJDK project.

The company is also reintroducing commercial support for JavaFX, responding to growing demand for building rich, interactive user interfaces, particularly in AI and analytics applications.

With Java 26, Oracle aims to help organizations modernize applications, improve performance, and accelerate innovation while maintaining the reliability and security that have defined the platform for more than three decades.