In a recent interview with Oxford Insights, Acting Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov described Ukraine’s ambition to build an Agentic state — a model in which artificial intelligence systems execute administrative processes on behalf of citizens.
At first glance, this may appear as a continuation of digital government reforms. In practice, it reflects a deeper shift. Ukraine is not simply digitising services — it is testing a different model of how the state operates, under real constraints.
The foundation of this model is the Diia ecosystem, which already functions as a single interface between citizens and the government. With millions of users and legally binding digital interactions, it has moved far beyond basic service delivery. The next step is not to expand the number of services, but to remove the need for citizens to navigate them altogether.
In an agentic model, the interaction changes fundamentally. Citizens express intent, while AI systems execute the required processes in the background. Administrative workflows become invisible, shifting the role of the state from a provider of services to an operator of systems.
What makes Ukraine’s approach distinct is the environment in which this model is being developed. The country is building its AI-driven governance under conditions of war, resource constraints, and constant operational pressure. These factors shape the system in specific ways. Solutions prioritise speed over procedure, simplicity over institutional complexity, and deployment over long planning cycles. As a result, technologies are designed to function in imperfect, often degraded conditions.
This logic extends beyond public services into defence. Through platforms such as Brave1, artificial intelligence systems are developed by private companies, tested in real-world conditions, and rapidly adapted based on feedback from the field. Development cycles that would traditionally take years are compressed into months, creating a continuous loop between problem identification, solution development, deployment, and iteration.
The concept of an Agentic state therefore, goes beyond technology. It reflects a broader rethinking of state capacity. Instead of expanding bureaucratic structures, Ukraine is experimenting with automating decision-making processes, reducing friction in service delivery, and embedding AI into core administrative functions. The focus shifts from maintaining systems to producing outcomes.
This has implications beyond Ukraine. While many governments are exploring artificial intelligence in controlled, low-risk environments, Ukraine is implementing it under pressure. Systems built in such conditions tend to be more resilient, more adaptable, and less dependent on stable infrastructure. For countries facing security challenges, limited resources, or rapidly changing environments, this model may offer a more relevant reference point than traditional approaches.
The idea of an Agentic state is still evolving. However, Ukraine is among the first countries moving from concept to implementation — not as a distant vision, but as a response to immediate necessity. That is precisely what makes it significant beyond its national context.
Full interview.
