Ukraine's Digital Minister Pitches War-Tested AI Sandbox to Europe and the US

Ukraine Positions Itself as Europe's AI Sandbox

Ukraine's digital minister Oksana Ferchuk is actively pitching the country as an AI sandbox for Europe, leveraging its war-tested digital infrastructure to attract international cooperation1

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. During her visit to Berlin, Ferchuk met with German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger to discuss how Ukraine digital transformation experiences could benefit Germany. The two countries agreed to form dedicated teams to analyze Ukraine's digital government system and explore which solutions could be adapted for German use.

War-Forged Digital Services Through Diia Platform

At the heart of Ukraine's digital transformation sits Diia, a comprehensive platform offering over 250 public services online. The mobile app and web portal provide access to more than 30 digital documents, including passports, driving licenses, tax IDs, and marriage certificates1

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. Citizens can complete complex tasks like selling cars, getting married or divorced, and managing fines entirely online. Ukrainians living abroad can even marry under Ukrainian law through the app, with official certificates delivered by post. This digital identity wallet approach aligns with the EU's own digital identity initiatives, positioning Ukraine as a valuable testing ground for similar European projects.

Digital Resilience Against Russian Attacks

Ukraine's digital infrastructure has demonstrated remarkable digital resilience despite ongoing Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. Ferchuk revealed that dozens of telecom and data center locations have been destroyed, yet digital services remain operational2

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. This continuity stems from built-in redundancies across multiple locations and cloud providers. As winter approaches—the fourth or fifth since the conflict began—Ukraine is moving data centers underground and training teams to maintain services during winter blackouts. The country's ability to keep digital services running under such extreme conditions offers valuable lessons in cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience.

High-Tech Exports and Military Technologies Pivot

Oksana Ferchuk is spearheading efforts to sharply increase high-tech exports by leveraging Ukraine's expertise in military technologies and digital innovation2

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. Having previously overseen digital transformation at the defense ministry, she sees Ukraine as a test bed where cheaper products and quicker innovation have disrupted the traditionally slow-moving global military technology sector. The minister is exploring cooperation agreements with the US, EU, and international institutions, including the World Bank, to export this expertise. She argues that military technologies can accelerate development in the high-tech segment with proper regulation, and that digital and AI-driven cooperation could transform non-military sectors as well.

Adaptive Governance Model for Innovation

Ferchuk highlighted a critical difference in Ukraine's approach to digital transformation: adaptive governance that permits controlled experimentation. When legislative restrictions prevent user-friendly services, the government works with parliament to change laws rather than accepting limitations1

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. This philosophy of giving IT teams freedom to make mistakes—while never compromising data protection, security, or legal compliance—has enabled genuine innovation. The minister warned that companies and countries missing investment in Ukraine risk missing the transformation of new sectors, as technology develops at unprecedented speed.

International Cooperation and Knowledge Transfer

During her Washington visit, Ferchuk met with US economic, cybersecurity, and telecommunications officials, along with World Bank senior leaders, to discuss cooperation opportunities2

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. The World Bank has shown particular interest in Ukraine's digital tools for education, telecommunications, and social services. In Berlin, Ukraine agreed to connect German officials with its GovTech Alliance—IT companies that have developed government applications for several years. This knowledge transfer model positions Ukraine not just as a recipient of aid, but as an exporter of digital expertise forged under the extreme pressure of war.