Leontina Sandu, the Head of the Interoperability and Digital Government Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Digital Services (DG DIGIT), has been named to Apolitical’s “Government AI 100” list for 2025. This list recognises public sector leaders from around the world who are driving innovation and delivering impactful solutions in artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of citizens.
Curated by Apolitical, a global platform for public servants, the Government AI 100 highlights leaders who are leveraging artificial intelligence to address societal challenges, improve public services, and advance ethical AI adoption.
Leontina Sandu’s contributions
Leontina Sandu is recognised for ensuring that AI policies are underpinned by strong digital infrastructure, a vital element for their successful implementation. As Head of Interoperability at the European Commission, she leads the EU’s efforts on interoperability policy, which serves as a cornerstone for enabling the seamless replication and deployment of AI services across Member States.
Leontina’s career began as a software engineer at a private software company, before progressing to influential positions within the European Commission. Under her leadership, the Interoperable Europe Act was adopted in 2024, establishing a comprehensive legal framework to enable seamless data sharing and digital collaboration across Member States.
As stated in her nomination, her vision is to “make interoperability part of every digital matter in the public sector in Europe,” ensuring that data flows seamlessly across borders and sectors. This work provides the essential foundation for user-centric digital services, empowering both citizens and businesses with AI-driven solutions at their fingertips.
Leontina joins an inspiring group of global leaders driving innovation in the public sector. To see the full list of nominees, visit the Government AI 100 2025 by Apolitical.