Nokia appointed Justin Hotard, a tech industry expert in data centers and AI, as its next CEO, in a move that reinforces the company’s ambition to expand into new growth areas.

Intel data center and AI boss Justin Hotard is leaving to become Nokia’s next CEO—a move that happened not long after the chipmaker dealt with big shakeups to its leadership team and AI chip strategy.

Nokia’s CEO Pekka Lundmark will step down on March 31, 2024, to pursue new opportunities. Justin Hotard from Intel will succeed him on April 1, aiming to drive Nokia’s growth in data centers and AI, critical to the company’s future strategy.