Former Intel Executive Joins Nokia to Lead AI Push

Pallavi Mahajan was named as Nokia's new chief technology and AI officer. The former Intel executive is charged with heading up one of two new business units aimed at sharpening its focus on AI innovation and business development.

Starting with Technology and AI Organization (TAO), the unit brings together the vendor’s Nokia Bell Labs, Technology and AI leadership, and Group Security teams to strengthen the company’s innovation capabilities. Mahajan will helm the unit and brings a background of cloud, edge computing, and AI expertise. Most recently, she served as corporate VP and GM of data centre and AI software at Intel. Notably, Nokia CEO Justin Hotard led that group at Intel before taking on the role at the Finnish vendor.

Mahajan has also held senior roles at HPE, where she led supercomputing and hybrid cloud initiatives, and Juniper Networks, where she drove the development of self-driving networks. Meanwhile, Nokia’s new Corporate Development Organization (CDO) combines Corporate Development, Strategic Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions, investment arm NGP Capital, and incubation activities to accelerate the company’s strategy execution and business growth.

Konstanty Owczarek will lead the new team as Chief Corporate Development Officer. He previously served as head of strategy and business development at HPE’s High Performance Compute, AI, and Labs business, leading a strategic pivot into generative AI. Owczarek also brings experience from his tenure as head of strategy and innovation for AIG’s Life and Retirement business.

Hotard stated that the new units are a valuable asset for the company and its customers. “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 maximise the value of partnerships in our ecosystem,” he added.

TAO and CDO will launch on 1 October, and both new executives will join the company’s leadership team. Nokia added that chief strategy and technology officer Nishant Batra will leave the company on 30 September after a five-year tenure.