Nokia has announced the appointment of Justin Hotard as its new CEO, signaling a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence and network technology. Hotard will officially take over from Pekka Lundmark on April 1, while Lundmark will continue advising the company until the end of 2025.

Currently serving as the executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s Data Center and AI Group, Hotard brings extensive experience in AI, cloud computing, and enterprise solutions. He has also held key leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, including senior vice president of corporate transformation and president of HPE Japan.

This leadership transition comes at a crucial time for Nokia, as telecom equipment manufacturers face declining demand for 5G infrastructure. In response, the company is accelerating its push into AI-driven solutions and software-defined networking to strengthen its position in the evolving technology landscape.

Sari Baldauf, chair of Nokia’s board of directors, emphasized Hotard’s expertise in AI and data center markets as critical to Nokia’s future growth. She stated, "He has a strong track record of accelerating growth in technology companies along with vast expertise in AI and data center markets, which are critical areas for Nokia’s future growth."

Hotard expressed enthusiasm about his new role, highlighting Nokia’s transformation journey and its potential for innovation. "Networks are the backbone that power society and businesses and enable generational technology shifts like the one we are currently experiencing in AI," he said.

Lundmark, who has led Nokia since 2020, described his tenure as a “homecoming” and expressed confidence in the company’s direction. He noted that Nokia is well-positioned for expansion in data centers, private wireless networks, and industrial edge computing. While stepping down from an executive role, Lundmark plans to continue his career in a different capacity, such as a board professional.

Nokia has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, shifting away from mobile phone manufacturing to focus on network infrastructure and software-driven solutions. The company sold its mobile phone division to Microsoft in 2014 and has since strengthened its position in 5G, AI integration, and cloud-based services.

As part of this transition, Nokia has also rebranded itself, reinforcing its identity as a B2B technology provider. By leveraging AI and next-generation networking technologies, the company aims to navigate industry challenges and capitalize on new opportunities in digital infrastructure.

SOURCE: EURONEWS | PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

This article was created with AI assistance.