MySQL 8.0 introduces several new features for developers including a document store for working with JSON documents, over 20 new JSON functions, UTF-8 as the default character set, common table expressions (CTEs) for hierarchical data traversal, window functions for analytics, and new options like SKIP LOCKED and NOWAIT for better handling of locked rows. The MySQL Shell provides a way to prototype applications using the new X DevAPI and import JSON data. Many new features in MySQL 8.0 were added to boost developer and data analyst productivity.