VimpelCom appoints former Sberbank executive Ivanov for new AI director position

MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - Maxim Ivanov has been appointed artificial intelligence (AI) director at PJSC VimpelCom , having previously worked in similar positions at Sberbank and BCS, VimpelCom said in a statement.

The company told Interfax that this was a new management position at VimpelCom.

In his new role, Ivanov will be responsible for developing AI at VimpelCom, integrating solutions based on AI into key business processes, as well as creating and scaling up AI products for clients and internal teams.

He has over 15 years of experience in digital technologies, analytics and the development of AI solutions for large businesses. In 2022-2025, he worked as AI director at SberBusinessSoft and managing director at Sberbank , where he was responsible for creating and developing a practice for integrating AI into products for external clients. The team which he led created both commercial AI products and implemented projects for the B2B and B2G segments.

In 2025, Ivanov led the AI transformation of the BCS group as its deputy AI director. In this role, he introduced processes for working with AI initiatives, created a strategy for the holding, formed a centralized expert commission and team and launched a range of AI services for employees and clients.

"For us, AI is one of the key elements of Beeline's new strategy. Our goal is to build AI into the company's DNA - from the development of services to internal processes and management decisions. Maxim's experience in implementing large-scale AI transformations, creating commercial products and building strong teams will help us to move more quickly in this direction and create additional opportunities for clients and businesses," VimpelCom CEO Sergei Anokhin is quoted as saying in the statement.