“New Nordics AI is bridging the national ecosystems in the Nordics and Baltics to accelerate the application of AI and help the region speak with greater weight in European and global AI discussions. In his role, Kristian will be a valuable force bringing cross-sector leadership, an ecosystem mindset, and the entrepreneurial drive needed to advance our shared mission and ensure AI develops with care and responsibility,” says Katrín Jakobsdóttir, chairperson of New Nordics AI.

“The Nordic and Baltic countries have a strong traditionof working together to address common challenges and seize new opportunities. Ilook forward to seeing New Nordics AI continue to strengthen cooperation, knowledge-sharing and responsible AI adoption across our region under Kristian Skaarups leadership”, says Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the NordicCouncil of Ministers.

In his new role, Kristian Skaarup will focuson building a strong team and organisation across the Nordic and Balticregions, bolstering New Nordics AI’s capacity to co-ordinate flagship projects,facilitate policy alignment, and advise decision-makers.

“The Nordic and Baltic countries have a unique tradition of trust, collaboration, and finding common solutions to new challenges. If we look at AI as a new enabler for our societies in the Nordics and Baltics, the region can lead the way in showing how AI creates value for people, businesses, and society. This Nordic way of collaborating is what attracted me to the role,” says Kristian Skaarup, Managing Director at New Nordics AI.

Kristian Skaarup most recently served as Defence Business Adviser at DTU Science Park in Denmark. He brings a commercial background in management consulting and more than 13 years of experience as aCEO. In recent years, he has focused on the space and defence industry, establishing business units within deep tech. Among other achievements, he was a key player in the development of Defence Tech Denmark, with the goal of accelerating defence innovation by connecting capital, industry, and the public sector to create a more resilient defence ecosystem. He now brings this experience in connecting complex ecosystems to the work of uniting the Nordic and Baltic regions around AI.

Since its founding in 2025 by the five Nordic countries and with funding from the Nordic Council of Ministers, New Nordics AI has grown into a strong platform for Nordic–Baltic AI co-operation. During its first Year, the centre began work on several projects spanning the AI Act, Nordic language models, and the intersection of energy and AI. The centre has also contributed to the launch of important resources, such as the Nordic AI Health Map, the first mapping of AI initiatives in the Nordic health sector.

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