Sandbox for AI and blockchain startups
Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Head of Sandbox for AI and blockchain startups
Max SemenchukKey Ideas:
- National AI strategy: Goal to reach top 3 countries globally in AI development by 2030
- National LLM development: Partnership with KeStar - trained on Ukrainian data for cultural/linguistic accuracy, data sovereignty for defense/healthcare/governance
- Sandbox structure: 2-year experimental project (until Oct 2026) - free audits, consultations, expert recommendations for startups
- Three expertise blocks:
- Legal: compliance, GDPR, IP, AI Act alignment, HUDA methodology
- Technical: AI/blockchain quality, safety, reliability, cybersecurity
- Business: financial viability, business model assessment
- Eligibility: Ukrainian companies with AI/blockchain products (prototype minimum), excluding financial services/gambling
- Expert team: 24 people - 11 lawyers, 3 business analysts, 1 cybersecurity specialist, 6 AI/blockchain experts
- Government interaction: Facilitates startup feedback to regulators, enables state agencies to discover new tech solutions
- Post-experiment vision: Permanent ecosystem tool, potential for foreign companies, automated expertise, soft derogations
Olha plays a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine's regulatory approach to emerging technologies, overseeing the country's innovative sandbox initiative that provides a safe environment for AI and blockchain startups to test and develop their solutions. Her work sits at the critical intersection of policy, innovation, and practical implementation—helping to create frameworks that enable technological advancement while ensuring public trust and security.
In her position at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Olha has been instrumental in fostering Ukraine's reputation as a forward-thinking digital nation. She works directly with startups, regulators, and international partners to develop regulatory approaches that encourage innovation while addressing legitimate concerns around consumer protection, security, and compliance. Her expertise spans regulatory design, technology assessment, and ecosystem building in one of Europe's most ambitious digital transformation projects.
What makes Olha's perspective particularly compelling is her frontline experience navigating the challenges of building regulatory infrastructure for emerging technologies in real-time. She understands both the technical capabilities of blockchain and AI systems and the policy considerations necessary to integrate them responsibly into society. Her insights into regulatory sandboxes, government-startup collaboration, and Ukraine's broader digital strategy offer a unique window into how nations can foster innovation while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Join us to hear from someone shaping the regulatory future of blockchain and AI technology at the national level.
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Full agenda: https://luma.com/dltforum