Problem
Meet growing GenAI demand through shared capacity, reusable services and disciplined infrastructure spending.
My role
Under IT, I lead the AI Capability team directly and the AI CoE squad as chapter lead in a PO-driven matrix. I built the Capability team from my architecture vision, with 7 hires. I own a multi-million-dollar annual AI budget for GPU, external resources and licences, sit on the GenAI Design Authority and report monthly to C-level.
What changed
Per-project resource allocation became a shared pool. The architecture moved toward modular services across on-premises and cloud environments, with integration designed to reduce provider dependence. Prepaid cloud commitments reduced costs.
Results
The shared pool delivered ~30% capacity gain; cloud prepaid commitments saved ~$300–400K.
Team outcomes enabled
VHub, Vodafone’s internal AI platform, was launched by the CEO. Other team outcomes include TOBi, CX Insight, AQM and GenAI Ops for IT. The team reported runner-up recognition in the MEA (CSP) category of the Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards 2026. GuardLine AI became European champions in the Vodafone Group Hack World Cup and a Global Finalist in Oct 2026. These are team achievements supported through my leadership role. The company GenAI hackathon brought together 43 teams and 182 participants. A continuous PoC pipeline explores new AI technology.
Related posts
43 teams, 182 participants and eight finalists. Five training sessions and panels supported teams in exploring GenAI.
LinkedIn post ↗Posted ·Our GENAI for IT Ops team received MEA runner-up recognition in the 2026 CSP awards. I contributed as a manager supporting the team.
LinkedIn post ↗Posted ·Our team progressed from European champions to the Global Final.
LinkedIn post ↗Posted ·The team effort that began as Chat with Your Data reached internal production as VHub.
LinkedIn post ↗Posted ·The leadership behind the work
Explore the career experiences behind these responsibilities in my desk notebook (in Turkish).