Ukraine Investment Integrity: Using AI to Screen Hostile FDI in Ukraine

THE QUESTION

Can an AI digital risk calculator assist in the FDI screening process by flagging potentially corrosive capital investments in Ukraine?

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LOCATION: Ukraine
SECTOR: Governance
TECH: AI
TIMELINE: January 2026 - Present
PARTNERS: TBD

The challenge

Ukraine faces acute vulnerability to politically motivated capital from hostile states at the very moment it needs foreign investment most. Post-war reconstruction requires an estimated USD 524 billion over the first decade, but rapid capital inflows risk masking security threats and corruption. With only a draft law currently before parliament and limited expertise among authorities to detect corrosive investment patterns, Ukraine lacks the operational capacity to screen foreign direct investment effectively. Manual checks would overwhelm government resources, and transparency and corruption concerns are raised over discretionary decision-making. Without clear, consistent screening rules, Ukraine cannot distinguish between legitimate investors supporting recovery and malicious actors seeking to undermine sovereignty, expose sensitive data, or exert political influence through ownership of strategic assets.

The solution

The pilot creates an AI-powered digital risk calculator using Large Language Models trained on verified historical cases of corrosive capital penetration in Ukraine and internationally. Foreign investors submit structured questionnaires, and the LLM cross-checks responses against a comprehensive library of red flags and risk indicators aligned with EU Regulations and international security standards. Officials receive step-by-step risk assessments, enabling faster, more consistent decisions while building their expertise over time. The tool doesn't replace human judgment but serves as a smart assistant that flags cases requiring deeper scrutiny, allowing limited government capacity to focus where it matters most.

The digital assistant enables Ukraine to screen investments transparently and at scale, protecting recovery funds from hostile interference while attracting legitimate capital. By automating routine risk checks, the tool frees officials to investigate complex cases and build relationships with trusted partners. Transparent methodology reduces corruption risks and provides clear rules that give good-faith investors confidence their proposals will receive fair, consistent review. The system creates an indirect learning pathway by giving officials expertise through daily use, understanding why certain structures or jurisdictions trigger concern. If successful, the pilot will allow for nationwide adoption and potential applications in other countries looking to introduce, or strengthen, FDI screening mechanisms.

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Our learnings and stories so far

This pilot hasn’t started to publish yet, but there are plenty of other blogs to read below. Check back soon!