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Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, on how AI turns crisis into opportunity.
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Let’s talk about Ukraine’s digital journey. What was the original vision for your transformation, even before the full-scale invasion? How did Ukraine maintain digital resilience during the full-scale invasion and what were the key foundational elements you were building? |
Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister
How is Ukraine using AI as a national strategic asset, and what’s the role of the WINWIN 2030 Strategy?
Ukraine treats artificial intelligence not as an add-on, but as a national strategic foundation — essential for innovation, economic resilience and technological sovereignty. In 2024, we launched the Ukrainian Global Innovation Strategy by 2030 – WINWIN, a comprehensive innovation roadmap with AI at its core. We’re developing real-world solutions, from legal document review and HR assistants to AI-powered public services. We’re also building our national LLM, trained on Ukrainian-language data, to ensure digital sovereignty. Our ambition is to become one of the top three countries globally in AI development and implementation by 2030.
What support do SMEs in Ukraine receive for digital adoption and AI integration?
Ukraine is a nation of entrepreneurs. Our mission is to build the most accessible and enabling environment for them to thrive — even in wartime. Launched in 2020, Diia.Business combines online tools and physical support centres, offering entrepreneurs everything from business consultations and grant opportunities to expert advice and educational content. In 2024, we relaunched the platform with enhanced features like personalised business roadmaps, a national events calendar and targeted support services. A key milestone is Robert, currently a chatbot, but which will soon be transformed into an AI-powered business assistant. Soon, Robert will be able to help entrepreneurs to draft business plans, apply for funding, book expert consultations and navigate regulations — all in one place. But tools alone are not enough. That’s why we are developing Ukraine’s Guidelines for SME Digital Maturity — a roadmap to help small and medium enterprises adopt digital technologies, integrate AI, automate processes and strengthen their position in global supply chains. Digital maturity means more than just having a website or social media presence. It means using technology to improve decision-making, cut costs, reach new customers and adapt to change. We believe that SMEs that embrace digital transformation today will become the economic backbone of Ukraine’s recovery and reinvention tomorrow.
How are you developing Ukraine’s tech talent and innovation ecosystem?
From IT studios in schools and the Mriia digital learning platform to Diia.Education and our Faculties of GovTech and AI for civil servants at the CDTO Campus, we are transforming how Ukrainians learn — at every age, in every region, across every profession. Through our WINWIN Innovation Strategy, we will prepare the workforce for the economy of the future — cultivating high-demand tech professions. Our Diia.City legal framework continues to attract global companies and top talent.
Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister
What role do international partnerships — like the one with Google — play in Ukraine’s digital development?
International partnerships are the backbone of Ukraine’s digital resilience — and Google is a prime example. From the earliest days of the full-scale war, Google stood with Ukraine: delivering cybersecurity tools like Project Shield, providing laptops for students and teachers, launching free digital skills programmes and supporting key national initiatives such as Diia.Education through targeted grants. Their Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund helped tech companies grow amid the crisis, while free Workspace licenses ensured continuity and security across government operations.
What lessons can other European countries learn from Ukraine’s experience?
Ukraine has shown that a digital state is not just about tools — it’s about a new institutional architecture. Institutions and processes must evolve alongside technology. Everything starts with a bold vision — without knowing where you want to go, you can’t build meaningful change. We must design infrastructures that are ready for all potential crises — because crises won’t wait until we’re prepared.
Ukrainian startups Deus Robotics and Fuel Finance use AI to transform warehousing and finance respectively, helping companies scale faster and work smarter.
DEUS ROBOTICS
Ukrainian startup Deus Robotics is transforming warehouse operations with an AI-first platform that orchestrates robots from any manufacturer. Their system enables seamless robot interoperability and has already delivered up to 300% efficiency gains for major logistics firms like Nova Poshta in Ukraine. Now expanding into the UK with DPD, Deus is scaling fast – with $3M in seed funding, a $20M valuation and 36% team growth. Originally a robotics company, Deus Robotics has shifted decisively to software, building the AI layer that turns fragmented warehouse fleets into a single, intelligent system. Fast, scalable and ready for global deployment.
FUEL FINANCE
Fuel Finance empowers growing startups and SMBs with an enterprise-level FP&A (financial planning and analysis) solution — combining AI-powered tools with expert financial support. The platform delivers real-time KPI dashboards, advanced forecasting, unit economics and AI-driven financial analysis. Seamlessly integrated with QuickBooks, Stripe, Gusto, Hub-Spot, Wise and more than 300 tools, Fuel turns fragmented data into strategic clarity. Trusted by more than 600 companies managing over $450M in P&L, Fuel helps teams to eliminate spreadsheet chaos and make faster, smarter business decisions. Backed by Google for Startups Ukraine in 2022, Fuel raised $1M in 2023 from investors including Markus Villig (Bolt) and John S. Kim (Sendbird). Led by Forbes 30-under-30 cofounder and CEO Alyona Mysko, Fuel combines technology with a human touch — so that SMEs can forecast confidently and scale smarter.
Photo: Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (1); Jane Kuhuk (1); Fuel Finance (1)