SOFTSWISS Bets on AI Leadership with First-Ever Chief AI Officer

ST. JULIAN'S, Malta – January 26, 2026 – In a decisive move to formalize its commitment to artificial intelligence, global iGaming technology leader SOFTSWISS has appointed Denis Romanovskiy as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO). The creation of this new C-suite role signals a strategic pivot, elevating AI from a series of experimental projects to a core pillar of the company's enterprise infrastructure and future growth strategy.

Romanovskiy, a veteran of the company who previously served for over five years as Deputy Chief Technology Officer, will now spearhead the development and execution of SOFTSWISS's comprehensive AI vision. This appointment is not merely a personnel change but a foundational shift intended to position the company at the vanguard of technological evolution within the highly competitive online gaming sector.

The Strategic Rise of the CAIO

The decision to establish a CAIO role reflects a broader, accelerating trend across the technology landscape, where organizations are grappling with how to harness the transformative power of AI responsibly and effectively. By creating a dedicated leadership position, SOFTSWISS is acknowledging that successful AI integration requires more than just technical prowess; it demands strategic oversight, robust governance, and a unified vision that permeates the entire organization.

Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, highlighted the strategic imperative behind the move. "The creation of the Chief AI Officer role is a reflection of how critical AI has become to the future of technology," Montik stated in the official announcement. "AI is transforming how we build products, how businesses operate and how value is created. By investing early in a unified AI platform and dedicated leadership, SOFTSWISS is positioning itself at the forefront of this shift."

This sentiment echoes discussions from industry events like the 2024 SBC Summit in Lisbon, where experts predicted that a dedicated AI officer would soon become a necessity for gaming companies. The role is designed to act as a central hub for all AI-related initiatives, ensuring consistency, security, and alignment with overarching business goals across a global workforce of more than 2,000 employees.

From Experimentation to Enterprise Execution

While the CAIO appointment marks a new chapter, SOFTSWISS is building on an existing foundation of AI exploration. The company has already deployed AI-driven tools within its Sportsbook solution to personalize content and tailor event suggestions to player preferences, using real-time data to enhance engagement and user value. However, Romanovskiy's mandate is to move the company far beyond these initial applications.

His primary task is to lead the rollout of a centralized, enterprise-grade AI platform. This infrastructure will act as a connective layer, integrating AI capabilities with the company's vast array of corporate tools and data systems. The goal is to create a secure and scalable environment where teams can automate workflows, analyze massive datasets, and significantly accelerate decision-making.

"I am excited to take on this new challenge, as SOFTSWISS moves from experimentation to execution," said Romanovskiy. "We've seen first-hand the amazing things AI can do. Our focus now is on making AI a trusted, governed and economically efficient capability that delivers measurable productivity gains across every part of the business." This platform is envisioned to democratize AI access internally, adopting a "build once, use everywhere" philosophy that enables departments from HR and sales to customer support to leverage AI tools without duplicating effort, thereby speeding up adoption and innovation.

Taming 'Shadow AI' and Ensuring Governance

A critical function of the new CAIO and the centralized platform is to address the growing problem of "shadow AI"—the uncontrolled and often insecure use of disparate AI tools by employees without official oversight. In a heavily regulated industry like iGaming, which handles sensitive player data and operates under strict compliance regimes, the risks associated with ungoverned AI are immense. These can range from data breaches and privacy violations to biased outcomes and non-compliance with regulations like GDPR.

By replacing a fragmented landscape of third-party tools with a standardized and secure foundation, SOFTSWISS aims to eliminate these risks. The new platform is being designed with governance at its core, featuring strict access controls, full auditability of AI activities, and transparent cost management. This gives leadership a clear and comprehensive view of all AI usage across the company, ensuring that every application is secure, compliant, and ethically sound. This proactive approach to governance is essential for building trust with both regulators and customers as AI becomes more deeply embedded in operations.

Navigating a Competitive, AI-Driven Landscape

SOFTSWISS's strategic push does not exist in a vacuum. The iGaming industry is a hotbed of technological innovation, with key competitors also making significant strides in artificial intelligence. Companies like BetConstruct are unveiling AI-powered live casino experiences, while others such as Sportingtech are using AI for advanced CRM and gamification. The appointment of a CAIO and the investment in a proprietary platform are therefore critical moves to maintain and extend a competitive edge.

Romanovskiy's extensive background makes him well-suited for this challenge. His leadership experience at high-performance technology environments like Wargaming.net and enterprise software giant EPAM Systems has prepared him for the complexities of scaling cutting-edge technology within a large, fast-paced organization. This expertise will be vital in navigating the technical and organizational hurdles of implementing a company-wide AI strategy. By formalizing its AI leadership, SOFTSWISS is not only aiming to optimize its internal processes but is also sending a clear message to the market that it intends to lead the charge in defining the next generation of iGaming technology.