
Nokia Strengthens Its Technological Future with New CTO and Corporate Development Officer Amid Shift to Data Center and AI Markets
Nokia has made significant strides in bolstering its presence in the data center and artificial intelligence sectors by appointing a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Corporate Development Officer. This strategic move aims to enhance its technological capabilities and drive innovation in emerging markets.
TL;DR
On September 17, 2025, Nokia announced major leadership changes effective October 1, 2025, as part of a bold restructuring to accelerate its focus on AI, data centers, and technology innovation. Pallavi Mahajan has been appointed as Chief Technology and AI Officer, bringing expertise from Intel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Juniper Networks, while Konstanty Owczarek joins as Chief Corporate Development Officer with a strong background in strategy and partnerships. The move also marks the departure of Nishant Batra, current Chief Strategy and Technology Officer. By creating new leadership structures and prioritizing AI-first strategies, Nokia aims to reposition itself as a global leader in next-generation networks, cloud, and security-driven solutions. However, the company faces challenges including AI talent competition, organizational integration, and balancing rapid innovation with reliability and compliance.
On September 17, 2025, Nokia announced sweeping leadership changes designed to sharpen its focus on technology innovation, artificial intelligence, corporate development, and long-term business strategy. The restructuring will officially take effect on October 1, 2025, and marks one of the company’s boldest steps in recent years to reposition itself in a fast-changing global technology landscape. Nokia has announced the hiring of a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a Corporate Development Officer. This strategic decision comes as the company pivots towards the burgeoning data centre and artificial intelligence (AI) markets, which are poised to shape the future of technology.
Nokia, a long-standing player in telecommunications, recognizes the need to adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape. The appointment of the new CTO and Corporate Development Officer reflects the company's commitment to innovation and its desire to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly data-driven world.
To lead these new divisions, Nokia has appointed two seasoned executives. Pallavi Mahajan will join the company as Chief Technology and AI Officer, after a distinguished career at Intel where she oversaw Data Center and AI Software, as well as earlier leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Juniper Networks. Mahajan’s expertise in AI, cloud, and network infrastructure positions her to spearhead Nokia’s transformation into an AI-first company. Konstanty Owczarek will take charge as Chief Corporate Development Officer, bringing deep experience in strategy, partnerships, and corporate growth from his previous roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and AIG. Their appointments signal Nokia’s intent to combine technical excellence with strategic agility at the highest levels of leadership.
The announcement also marks the departure of Nishant Batra, currently Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, who will step down from the Group Leadership Team on September 30, 2025. His exit underscores the structural realignment underway as Nokia adapts its leadership to meet new demands.
Nokia's leadership understands that to thrive in the competitive technology sector, innovation must be at the forefront of its strategy. The appointments of the new CTO and Corporate Development Officer are pivotal in realizing this vision. The implications of this restructuring extend beyond Nokia. In a telecom and technology ecosystem undergoing rapid transformation, the move sends a strong signal: traditional organizational models are no longer sufficient. Companies that treatfalling behind, while those that embed it into their very structure are more likely to thrive in the For customers and partners, Nokia’s shift could translate into more sophisticated stronger integration of security features, and faster responsiveness to market needs.


