“In the next five years, I believe interoperability will move beyond just systems integration, it will be about trust, sovereignty and dynamic collaboration. Governments and organisations will demand more agile, policy-aware data exchange mechanisms that preserve control without sacrificing connectivity.”
With over a decade of international IT leadership and a passion for shaping the future of digital societies, Ants Anupõld brings a unique blend of global insight, hands-on strategy, and Estonian roots to his new role at Cybernetica. Having steered major tech initiatives across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East – and with a personal life as colorful as his career (think hot air ballooning and Luxembourg wine education) – Ants is now setting his sights on elevating the flagship data exchange technologies to new global heights. We sat down with him to talk digital trust, interoperability, and what makes Cybernetica’s mission so powerfully relevant in today’s world.
- Why did you decide to join Cybernetica as the Head of Data Exchange Technologies?
Joining Cybernetica feels like a natural next step for me. It’s a chance to contribute to something not only technologically advanced, but also foundational to how digital societies operate. It’s a field led from Estonia, yet with global reach and significance. I’ve long admired Estonia’s leadership in e-governance and Cybernetica has been instrumental in shaping that legacy. So, when the opportunity arose to help lead and grow the Data Exchange Technologies department, it felt like the right moment to bring my international experience to something truly meaningful on a global scale.
- What is your previous background?
I bring over a decade of international IT leadership experience, most recently as part of the European Management Team at Kuehne + Nagel, one of the world’s largest logistics providers. I’ve led regional IT strategy across Europe and Africa, driven global CRM rollouts, launched regional service desk frameworks and worked across cultures and functions to align business goals with digital solutions. Earlier roles in the tech, media, and banking sectors gave me a solid foundation in digital transformation, customer experience and data-driven services.
- What have been the most defining lessons you have learned throughout your career?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that technology is only as powerful as the people and processes it supports. Long-term success comes from listening to our customers, aligning closely with the system vision, objectives and of course fostering a culture where teams feel empowered to innovate and improve. I’ve also seen how consistency in execution, combined with a willingness to evolve, can turn good ideas into truly transformative outcomes.
- Where do you see interoperability developing in the next 5 years? What does it mean for Cybernetica?
In the next five years, I believe interoperability will move beyond just systems integration, it will be about trust, sovereignty and dynamic collaboration. Governments and organisations will demand more agile, policy-aware data exchange mechanisms that preserve control without sacrificing connectivity. This is where Cybernetica is uniquely positioned: not just to provide the infrastructure, but to support with best practices drawn from our global experience in helping to digitalise societies. As resilience becomes more important for governments across the globe, our mission of future-proofing these digital societies is reinforced furthermore by a competitive edge nobody else can offer – in-house R&D capabilities. This unique edge allows us to advise governments on sustainability and security of interoperability systems that play a critical role in government operations. We have the opportunity to shape the future of digital governance through technologies that are secure, scalable, and ethical.
- What are some of the ambitious goals you would like to achieve at Cybernetica?
My aim is to elevate our data exchange solutions to be seen globally as the benchmark for secure interoperability. This includes expanding the reach of UXP, refining our value proposition, and working closely with product, marketing, and sales teams to communicate our vision clearly and confidently. I also want to invest in our people to ensure that the amazing knowledge and talent inside Cybernetica has room to grow, be heard, and make a difference.