diff --git a/.github/workflows/artifactory-milestone-release.yml b/.github/workflows/artifactory-milestone-release.yml
index 7e08db0ea66..4043b7a94d8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/artifactory-milestone-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/artifactory-milestone-release.yml
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -27,14 +27,14 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Update release version
         run: |
-          mvn versions:set -DgenerateBackupPoms=false -DnewVersion=$RELEASE_VERSION
-          mvn versions:set -DgenerateBackupPoms=false -DnewVersion=$RELEASE_VERSION -pl spring-ai-bom
+          ./mvnw versions:set -DgenerateBackupPoms=false -DnewVersion=$RELEASE_VERSION
+          ./mvnw versions:set -DgenerateBackupPoms=false -DnewVersion=$RELEASE_VERSION -pl spring-ai-bom
 
       - name: Enforce release rules
-        run: mvn org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-enforcer-plugin:enforce -Drules=requireReleaseDeps
+        run: ./wmvn org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-enforcer-plugin:enforce -Drules=requireReleaseDeps
 
       - name: Build with Maven and deploy to Artifactory's milestone repository
         env:
           ARTIFACTORY_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.ARTIFACTORY_USERNAME }}
           ARTIFACTORY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.ARTIFACTORY_PASSWORD }}
-        run: mvn -P artifactory-milestone -s settings.xml --batch-mode -Dmaven.test.skip=true deploy
+        run: ./mvnw -P artifactory-milestone -s settings.xml --batch-mode -Dmaven.test.skip=true deploy
diff --git a/.github/workflows/continuous-inspection.yml b/.github/workflows/continuous-inspection.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 29bd85e5302..00000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/continuous-inspection.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-name: Continuous inspection build
-
-on:
-  schedule:
-    - cron: '0 10 * * *' # Once per day at 10am UTC
-  workflow_dispatch:
-
-jobs:
-  code-quality-analysis:
-    name: code quality analysis report
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    if: ${{ github.repository_owner == 'spring-projects' }}
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout source code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
-        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
-        with:
-          java-version: '17'
-          distribution: 'temurin'
-          cache: 'maven'
-
-      - name: Analyse test coverage with Jacoco
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode -P test-coverage verify
-
-      - name: Analyse code quality with Sonar
-        if: github.repository == 'spring-projects/spring-ai'
-        env:
-          SONAR_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SONAR_TOKEN }}
-          SONAR_HOST_URL: ${{ secrets.SONAR_URL }}
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode sonar:sonar -Dsonar.host.url=$SONAR_HOST_URL -Dsonar.login=$SONAR_TOKEN
-
diff --git a/.github/workflows/continuous-integration.yml b/.github/workflows/continuous-integration.yml
index 41bf0a44cb3..d9462f32d11 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/continuous-integration.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/continuous-integration.yml
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ jobs:
           large-packages: false
           docker-images: false
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -73,25 +73,25 @@ jobs:
         # This prevents maintenance branch snapshots from conflicting with main branch artifacts
         run: |
           if [ "${{ github.ref }}" = "refs/heads/main" ]; then
-            ./mvnw -s settings.xml -Pci-fast-integration-tests -Pjavadoc -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
+            ./mvnw -s settings.xml -ntp -Pci-fast-integration-tests -Pjavadoc -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
             --batch-mode --update-snapshots deploy
           else
-            ./mvnw -s settings.xml -Pci-fast-integration-tests -Pjavadoc -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
+            ./mvnw -s settings.xml -ntp -Pci-fast-integration-tests -Pjavadoc -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
             --batch-mode --update-snapshots verify
           fi
 
       - name: Generate Java docs
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode javadoc:aggregate
+        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp javadoc:aggregate
 
       - name: Generate assembly
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
         working-directory: spring-ai-docs
-        run: ../mvnw --batch-mode assembly:single
+        run: ../mvnw --batch-mode -ntp assembly:single
 
       - name: Capture project version
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
-        run: echo PROJECT_VERSION=$(mvn help:evaluate -Dexpression=project.version --quiet -DforceStdout) >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        run: echo PROJECT_VERSION=$(./mvnw help:evaluate -Dexpression=project.version --quiet -DforceStdout) >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Setup SSH key
         if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/documentation-upload.yml b/.github/workflows/documentation-upload.yml
index a6381a5c551..ed2990fa832 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/documentation-upload.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/documentation-upload.yml
@@ -18,22 +18,22 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
       - name: Generate Java docs
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode clean install -DskipTests -Pjavadoc
+        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp clean install -DskipTests -Pjavadoc
 
       - name: Aggregate Java docs
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode javadoc:aggregate
+        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp javadoc:aggregate
 
       - name: Generate assembly
         working-directory: spring-ai-docs
-        run: mvn --batch-mode assembly:single
+        run: ../mvnw --batch-mode -ntp assembly:single
 
       - name: Setup SSH key
         env:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/fast-continuous-integration.yml b/.github/workflows/fast-continuous-integration.yml
index 8e39fa2b7e1..ac33f2bd797 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/fast-continuous-integration.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/fast-continuous-integration.yml
@@ -27,16 +27,16 @@ jobs:
           large-packages: false
           docker-images: false
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
       - name: Build all modules with unit tests
         run: |
-          ./mvnw --batch-mode --update-snapshots clean install
+          ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp --update-snapshots clean install
 
       - name: Upload Maven repository
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
@@ -62,10 +62,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ jobs:
           OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
           SPRING_AI_OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
         run: |
-          ./mvnw --batch-mode --no-snapshot-updates \
+          ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp --no-snapshot-updates \
             -pl models/spring-ai-ollama,auto-configurations/models/spring-ai-autoconfigure-model-ollama \
             -Pci-fast-integration-tests \
             -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
@@ -99,10 +99,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ jobs:
           OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
           SPRING_AI_OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
         run: |
-          ./mvnw --batch-mode --no-snapshot-updates \
+          ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp --no-snapshot-updates \
             -pl models/spring-ai-openai,auto-configurations/models/spring-ai-autoconfigure-model-openai \
             -Pci-fast-integration-tests \
             -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
@@ -136,10 +136,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ jobs:
           OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
           SPRING_AI_OPENAI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.OPENAI_API_KEY }}
         run: |
-          ./mvnw --batch-mode --no-snapshot-updates \
+          ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp --no-snapshot-updates \
             -pl models/spring-ai-google-genai,auto-configurations/models/spring-ai-autoconfigure-model-google-genai,mcp/common,mcp/mcp-annotations-spring,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-client-common,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-client-httpclient,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-client-webflux,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-server-common,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-server-webmvc,auto-configurations/mcp/spring-ai-autoconfigure-mcp-server-webflux,vector-stores/spring-ai-chroma-store,vector-stores/spring-ai-pgvector-store,spring-ai-integration-tests \
             -Pci-fast-integration-tests \
             -Dfailsafe.rerunFailingTestsCount=3 \
@@ -173,10 +173,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -187,11 +187,11 @@ jobs:
           path: ~/.m2/repository
 
       - name: Generate Java docs
-        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode javadoc:aggregate
+        run: ./mvnw --batch-mode -ntp javadoc:aggregate
 
       - name: Generate assembly
         working-directory: spring-ai-docs
-        run: ../mvnw --batch-mode assembly:single
+        run: ../mvnw --batch-mode -ntp assembly:single
 
       - name: Upload Javadoc
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
@@ -216,10 +216,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ jobs:
           ARTIFACTORY_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.ARTIFACTORY_USERNAME }}
           ARTIFACTORY_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.ARTIFACTORY_PASSWORD }}
         run: |
-          ./mvnw -s settings.xml --batch-mode -DskipTests deploy
+          ./mvnw -s settings.xml --batch-mode -ntp -DskipTests deploy
 
   deploy-docs:
     name: Deploy documentation
@@ -245,10 +245,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/main-push-fast.yml b/.github/workflows/main-push-fast.yml
index 845625a4c56..a19ecf322ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main-push-fast.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main-push-fast.yml
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           # cache: 'maven'  # Disabled for fast workflow - reduces post-job noise
 
@@ -140,9 +140,9 @@ jobs:
             echo "INFO: Running tests for affected modules: $MODS"
             # Build dependencies without tests, then test only the affected modules
             echo "INFO: Phase 1 - Building dependencies (this may take a few minutes)..."
-            ./mvnw -B -q -T 1C -DskipTests -pl "$MODS" -am install
+            ./mvnw -B -ntp -q -T 1C -DskipTests -pl "$MODS" -am install
             echo "INFO: Phase 2 - Running tests for affected modules..."
-            ./mvnw -B -q -T 1C -Pci-fast-integration-tests -DfailIfNoTests=false -pl "$MODS" verify
+            ./mvnw -B -ntp -q -T 1C -Pci-fast-integration-tests -DfailIfNoTests=false -pl "$MODS" verify
             echo "INFO: Testing complete"
           fi
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/maintenance-fast.yml b/.github/workflows/maintenance-fast.yml
index 057932113b5..1a903df2144 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/maintenance-fast.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/maintenance-fast.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
@@ -92,4 +92,4 @@ jobs:
             echo "Check the 'Compute impacted modules' step output for debugging info"
             exit 1
           fi
-          ./mvnw -B -q -T 1C -Pintegration-tests -DfailIfNoTests=false -pl "$MODS" -amd verify
\ No newline at end of file
+          ./mvnw -B -ntp -q -T 1C -Pintegration-tests -DfailIfNoTests=false -pl "$MODS" -amd verify
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/new-maven-central-release.yml b/.github/workflows/new-maven-central-release.yml
index 729508d83f9..efb41c94fa4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/new-maven-central-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/new-maven-central-release.yml
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ jobs:
       - name: Check out sources
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
-        uses: actions/setup-java@v3
+      - name: Set up JDK
+        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
           distribution: 'temurin'
-          java-version: 17
+          java-version: 25
           cache: 'maven'
 
       - name: Install GPG key
@@ -31,5 +31,5 @@ jobs:
           CENTRAL_TOKEN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.CENTRAL_TOKEN_PASSWORD }}
           MAVEN_GPG_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
         run: |
-          ./mvnw -B clean install -DskipTests
-          ./mvnw -B clean deploy -Psonatype -s settings.xml
+          ./mvnw -B -ntp clean install -DskipTests
+          ./mvnw -B -ntp clean deploy -Psonatype -s settings.xml
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr-check.yml b/.github/workflows/pr-check.yml
index 7f15006d8b6..912f18392e2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr-check.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr-check.yml
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout source code
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25' # This action actually installs several and the toolchains plugin in maven will select 25 alright, but this makes 25 the 'default'
           distribution: 'temurin'
           cache: 'maven'
 
       - name: Run tests
         run: |
-          ./mvnw --batch-mode test
+          ./mvnw -ntp -B -U test
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-notes-generation.yml b/.github/workflows/release-notes-generation.yml
index fd80e41b03c..5b53cc8b0b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-notes-generation.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-notes-generation.yml
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download changelog generator
         run: wget https://github.com/spring-io/github-changelog-generator/releases/download/v$GENERATOR_VERSION/github-changelog-generator.jar
 
-      - name: Set up JDK 17
+      - name: Set up JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4
         with:
-          java-version: '17'
+          java-version: '25'
           distribution: 'temurin'
 
       - name: Prepare configuration file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a431b91d2d6..3d46fe45d44 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,7 +71,11 @@ To clone it you have to either:
 
 ## Building
 
-Build using Java 17.
+The project targets and build artifacts compatible with Java 17+, but requires a JDK 25+
+to build. This is enforced by the maven toolchains plugin and a compatible JDK should be
+automatically located on your machine if it exists, without forcing you to make it the
+default in the PATH. Please refer to the [maven toolchains plugin](https://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-toolchains-plugin/index.html) if detection does
+not work as expected.
 
 To build with running unit tests
 
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 20735e98647..2986c7185a5 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -343,7 +343,12 @@
 
 		<!-- plugin versions -->
 		<antlr.version>4.13.1</antlr.version>
-		<maven-compiler-plugin.version>3.11.0</maven-compiler-plugin.version>
+		<maven-compiler-plugin.version>3.14.1</maven-compiler-plugin.version>
+		<maven-toolchains-plugin.version>3.2.0</maven-toolchains-plugin.version>
+		<!-- The version (range) of the JDK we want to use to compile.
+			This is different from ${java.version} which we use as -release target.
+			This exact property name is recognized by the toolchains plugin. -->
+		<toolchain.jdk.version>[25,)</toolchain.jdk.version>
 		<maven-surefire-plugin.version>3.1.2</maven-surefire-plugin.version>
 		<maven-failsafe-plugin.version>3.5.2</maven-failsafe-plugin.version>
 		<maven-javadoc-plugin.version>3.5.0</maven-javadoc-plugin.version>
@@ -373,6 +378,20 @@
 
 	<build>
 		<plugins>
+			<plugin>
+				<!-- This plugin makes sure we can locate a JDK matching the ${toolchain.jdk.version} constraint.-->
+				<!-- It will be used by e.g. the maven.compiler.plugin, or fail otherwise. -->
+				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+				<artifactId>maven-toolchains-plugin</artifactId>
+				<version>${maven-toolchains-plugin.version}</version>
+				<executions>
+					<execution>
+						<goals>
+							<goal>select-jdk-toolchain</goal>
+						</goals>
+					</execution>
+				</executions>
+			</plugin>
 			<plugin>
 				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
 				<artifactId>maven-checkstyle-plugin</artifactId>