Nokia appointed Pallavi Mahajan as its chief technology and AI officer, tasking the ex-Intel executive with leading one of two new business units designed to enhance the company’s emphasis on AI innovation and business growth.
Beginning with the Technology and AI Organization (TAO), this unit unites the vendor’s Nokia Bell Labs, leaders in Technology and AI, along with Group Security teams to enhance the company’s innovation strengths.
Mahajan will lead the unit and has a background in cloud, edge computing, and AI knowledge. Most recently, she held the position of corporate VP and GM for data center and AI software at Intel.
Significantly, Nokia’s CEO Justin Hotard headed that team at Intel prior to assuming his position at the Finnish company.
Mahajan (Shown, left) has occupied high-level positions at HPE, where she spearheaded supercomputing and hybrid cloud projects, and at Juniper Networks, where she advanced the creation of autonomous networks.
At the same time, Nokia’s newly established Corporate Development Organization (CDO) integrates Corporate Development, Strategic Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions, the investment division NGP Capital, and incubation initiatives to boost the company’s strategy implementation and business expansion.
Konstanty Owczarek will head the new team as the chief officer of corporate development. He formerly held the position of head of strategy and business development at HPE’s High Performance Compute, AI, and Labs division, directing a strategic shift toward generative AI.
Owczarek (shown, left) also offers experience from his role as head of strategy and innovation for AIG’s Life and Retirement division.
AI Supercycle
Hotard regarded the new units as “a significant asset for us and our clients.” “Achieving success in the AI supercycle requires us to emphasize areas where we can create differentiation via our core technologies, enhance our skills in security and AI, and optimize the benefits of partnerships within our ecosystem,” he stated.
TAO and CDO will debut on October 1, and both new leaders will become part of the company’s executive team.
Nokia announced that chief strategy and technology officer Nishant Batra will depart from the company on 30 September following a five-year period.
