Nokia taps ex-Intel and HPE execs to lead new AI and Corporate Development orgs

Nokia builds two new executive engines for AI, security, and deal-making

Nokia is restructuring around AI and tech execution with two new executive organizations: a Technology and AI Organization (TAO) and a Corporate Development Organization. The move consolidates research, security, partnerships, M&A, and incubation under focused leadership to speed product delivery and partner value.

"To succeed in the AI supercycle, we need to focus on where we can drive differentiation through our core technologies, strengthen our capabilities in security and AI, and maximize the value of partnerships," said Nokia CEO Justin Hotard. Both groups go live October 1, with Nishant Batra stepping down as chief strategy and technology officer on September 30.

Who's leading

Pallavi Mahajan will run TAO as chief technology and AI officer. She previously led data center and AI software at Intel, ran supercomputing and hybrid-cloud initiatives at HPE, and was an engineering VP at Juniper. Expect a pragmatic, platform-first approach across silicon, software, and network pipelines.

Konstanty Owczarek will lead the Corporate Development Organization as chief corporate development officer. He was most recently a managing partner at LJO Advisors, and formerly CSO/COO for HPE's HPC, AI, and Labs. His remit: accelerate strategy through partnerships, acquisitions, incubation, and NGP Capital.

What TAO changes for builders and operators

TAO merges Bell Labs research, Technology and AI leadership, and Group Security. That puts long-horizon R&D, near-term AI strategy, and zero-trust execution under one roof - a cleaner path from lab to product to policy.

• Faster transfer of research into SDKs, APIs, and firmware updates. Watch for AI features embedded in RAN, IP/optical, and data center interconnect.
• Tighter security baselines baked into platform roadmaps (identity, telemetry, encryption, and model governance).
• More consistent AI/ML toolchains across edge, core, and cloud - think model lifecycle, observability, and hardware acceleration alignment.
• Clearer interfaces for partners to extend Nokia stacks without duct tape integrations.

If your team depends on Nokia network software or optics, plan for API unification and new integration points. A good starting place: keep tabs on the research-to-product pipeline from Bell Labs.

What Corporate Development means for partners and buyers

The Corporate Development Organization consolidates Corporate Development, Strategic Partnerships, M&A, Incubation, and NGP Capital. The goal is fewer silos and tighter integration of acquired tech.

• Faster post-merger product roadmaps and SKU simplification - less overlap, clearer licensing.
• Partner programs that align with AI and security priorities (reference architectures, validated designs, and joint GTM).
• Incubation paths for ecosystem tools that fill gaps in automation, observability, and AI operations.

Hotard's operating model: build the right things, partner on the rest

Hotard is pushing discipline over raw spend. The emphasis: fundamental research where it differentiates, partnerships where the market is already moving, and acquisitions when they expand scope without bloat. Expect Nokia to keep combining optical, IP, and data center capabilities to meet AI-era traffic patterns and reliability targets.

Tommi Uitto, Nokia's mobile networks president, noted that R&D bets take five to seven years to surface in shipping products. Translation: the groundwork laid now shows up in your refresh cycles and SLOs mid-decade. Plan accordingly.

What to do now (IT, network, and platform teams)

• Ask your Nokia reps for the TAO roadmap: API changes, AI features, security baselines, and supported accelerators.
• Map pilot candidates: AI-assisted troubleshooting, intent-based automation, closed-loop assurance, and edge inference for traffic engineering.
• Review partner dependencies: where you need Nokia-native features vs. third-party integrations. Avoid duplication across observability and model ops.
• Budget for integration work in 2025-2026 as product lines converge (SDK updates, controller upgrades, and telemetry schema changes).

Key dates and org changes

• Oct 1: TAO and Corporate Development become effective under Mahajan and Owczarek.
• Sept 30: Nishant Batra exits his role as chief strategy and technology officer and leaves the group leadership team.

What to watch next

• Unified SDKs and reference architectures for AI in IP/optical and mobile core.
• Security-by-default configurations and compliance artifacts aligned with zero trust.
• Partner announcements that clarify build-vs-buy choices for data center and edge AI workloads.

If you're upskilling for AI infrastructure, MLOps, or automation roles, scan curated learning tracks by job role here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.