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Ukraine Steps Into the Global AI Governance Club
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Ukrainian digital leaders have been recognised in the Government AI 100 (2026), joining policymakers from Europe, Asia and the Middle East shaping how artificial intelligence is deployed across government.
In the Government AI 100 (2026) — the international list curated by Apolitical — Ukraine is represented by leaders whose work has been developed within the Ministry of Digital Transformation ecosystem. The list recognises public servants who are driving real-world AI governance, implementation and adoption across governments worldwide.
By 2030, Ukraine has set an ambitious goal: to become one of the world’s top three countries in AI development and application. The inclusion of Ukrainian leaders in the Government AI 100 reflects tangible, institution-level progress toward this goal.
Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the First Deputy Minister of Ukraine on Innovations, Digitalization and Global Partnerships, was recognised in the AI implementation and adoption category, which focuses on turning AI strategy into functioning public systems and services.
Her work includes the development of scalable digital products, the growth of the Diia ecosystem, international partnerships and strengthening Ukraine’s global innovation role. Key initiatives include Diia.Business and Diia.Education, which support entrepreneurship and digital skills at scale and translate digital and AI strategies into everyday public services.
Oleksandr Bornyakov, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, was included in the AI governance and regulation category.
His work across AI, e-residency and crypto-assets, the development of Ukraine’s startup ecosystem, the launch of Diia.City and the coordination of the Brave1 defence-tech cluster have enabled fast and systemic adoption of AI in Ukraine — even under the most challenging conditions.
The Government AI 100 brings together senior public officials who are shaping national AI approaches at the highest level.
Among those recognised in the 2026 list are:
- Eva Maydell, Vice-Chair of the ITRE Committee, European Parliament
- Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information, Singapore
- Clara Chappaz, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, France
- Masaaki Taira, Minister for Digital Transformation, Japan
- Ott Velsberg, Government Chief Data Officer, Estonia
- Abdullah Alkhodairi, senior leader at the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA).
Together, these leaders represent governments where AI policy, regulation and implementation are led at the level of national ministries and dedicated AI authorities.
For Ukraine, being part of this peer group confirms its place among governments shaping practical, scalable models of AI use in the public sector — from regulation to real-world deployment.
As Ukraine moves toward its ambition to become one of the world’s top three AI nations by 2030, it continues its transition from a digital state to an agentic state — where AI underpins resilient institutions, proactive public services and long-term national competitiveness.
