Telstra and Accenture Forge Global AI Joint Venture to Revolutionize Telecommunications

Australia-based technology company Telstra, Accenture announce JV (ACN:NYSE)

Australian telecommunications and technology company Telstra and Accenture (NYSE:ACN) announced on Wednesday a proposed joint venture to accelerate the former's data and AI roadmap. The proposed JV is intended to be active for seven years More on Accenture Accenture plc (ACN) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Accenture Q1 Preview: Expect To Hear More On AI Efforts And M&A Micron Technology, Nike Lead Companies That Report As Earnings Season Continues To Slow Accenture gets upgraded to Outperform at Wolfe Research Accenture buys Singapore-based digital twin tech platform

Accenture : Telstra and Accenture announce global AI joint venture

Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture and Vicky Brady, CEO, Telstra Steered by joint global leadership, the JV would comprise specialists from Telstra and Accenture's Data & AI teams to build on Telstra's work creating a world-class data and AI ecosystem, modernising its data and AI platforms, and embedding responsible AI by design. As part of the JV, Telstra would benefit from Accenture's $3 billion AI investment in assets, industry solutions, ventures, acquisitions, talent and ecosystem partnerships, with access to the latest innovation in AI technologies and AI teams in Silicon Valley. A key focus of the JV would be to reinvent business processes through new capabilities like agentic AI, enabling teams to work with intelligent AI ecosystems to optimise key tasks end-to-end. The JV would also build specialised AI tools to support teams to work smarter and faster, helping build data and AI fluency across Telstra's workforce, and fast-tracking the development of future-critical skills. The proposed seven-year JV is subject to consultation with Telstra's employees and unions. Telstra's core Data & AI workforce, based in Australia and India, would receive an offer to join the JV. At the end of the seven-year term, JV employees would be offered a role at Telstra. The JV is expected to become more efficient and streamlined as the acceleration of Telstra's data and AI roadmap is delivered. Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said the JV would leverage Accenture's global expertise to scale AI responsibly and at pace, which would help Telstra deliver seamless connectivity and better experiences for customers. "We've made strong progress on our AI goals and already have hundreds of value-driving AI use-cases across the business. This includes generative AI tools built in-house, like AskTelstra and One Sentence Summary, which are helping our people support customers more effectively and efficiently," Ms Brady said. "But our data and AI ambition goes well beyond introducing AI tools. It goes to the heart of what we do - connecting Australia, and Australians to the world. From building self-healing, resilient networks, to reinventing experiences for our customers and the way we work, AI will help power an exciting, connected future. "We will get there much faster and more efficiently by collaborating in an ecosystem of likeminded global leaders, leveraging each other's strengths and accelerating innovation. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft and our joint venture with Quantium have been critical enablers in our AI journey so far, and this joint venture with Accenture will propel us into the next phase of our AI evolution." Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture, said: "We are entering a new era of AI-driven reinvention. Leading companies across the world are embracing agentic AI and generative AI to reinvent themselves using the technology and new ways of working to drive productivity and growth." "We are proud of our long-standing collaboration with a visionary leader like Telstra, and committed to accelerating its bold AI fuelled business strategy, which will set new standards for the telecom industry." "We are also excited about combining our experience, talent and capabilities with Telstra's to drive innovation and value for Telstra's customers, people, and shareholders today and in the future." As part of these changes, Telstra would consolidate vendor support from 18 data and AI providers and partners down to two JVs - Quantium Telstra and the proposed joint venture with Accenture. This would drive deeper strategic partnership, shared accountability, and enable further acceleration in data and AI. It follows Telstra's Software Engineering & IT division consolidating its partners last year, which saw it move from more than 400 vendors to two strategic partners, streamlining operations, reducing complexity and delivering efficiencies. The proposed JV would be 60 per cent owned by Accenture and 40 per cent Telstra, with Telstra retaining control over its data and AI strategy and roadmap, which the JV would help deliver. Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services - creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 799,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com. About Telstra Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and technology company. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets in Australia, operating the largest mobile and wi-fi networks. Globally, we provide end-to-end solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions. We have licenses in Asia, Europe and the United States and offer access to more than 2,000 points of presence across the globe. For more information visit www.telstra.com Copyright © 2025 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

Telstra, Accenture Announce AI Joint Venture to Transform Data & Connectivity

Australian telecommunications company Telstra and Accenture on Wednesday announced plans for a joint venture (JV) aimed at accelerating Telstra's data and AI strategy to enhance network leadership and improve customer experiences. As per the company's press release, this seven-year partnership will focus on modernising Telstra's data and AI platforms, embedding responsible AI practices, and fostering innovation in connectivity. The JV will bring together specialists from both companies to create a world-class AI ecosystem, using Accenture's $3 billion investment in AI technologies, solutions, and talent. Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, emphasised the significance of the partnership. "We are entering a new era of AI-driven reinvention. Leading companies across the world are embracing agentic AI and generative AI to reinvent themselves using the technology and new ways of working to drive productivity and growth." While the JV will develop specialised AI tools to optimise business processes and enhance workforce efficiency, Telstra's data and AI teams in Australia and India will be offered roles in the JV, with training to advance AI fluency and critical skills. Telstra will consolidate vendor support from 18 data and AI providers to two JVs, including this partnership with Accenture. While Accenture will own 60% of the proposed JV, the rest will be owned by Telstra. Telstra will retain control over its data and AI strategy, while the JV will assist in executing its roadmap. At the conclusion of the seven-year term, JV employees will have the opportunity to rejoin Telstra. This JV is set to redefine the telecom industry by leveraging Accenture's global expertise and AI innovations. "We are proud of our long-standing collaboration with Telstra and committed to accelerating its bold AI-fueled business strategy," Sweet said. This collaboration builds on Telstra's existing partnerships with Microsoft and Quantium, which will reinforce its commitment to innovation and operational excellence. The partnership represents a bold step in Telstra's evolution as a leader in AI-powered connectivity, setting new benchmarks for the industry while delivering value for customers, employees, and shareholders. Highlighting the transformative potential of the JV, Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said, "Our data and AI ambition goes to the heart of what we do - connecting Australia and Australians to the world. From building self-healing, resilient networks to reinventing customer experiences and how we work, AI will help power an exciting, connected future." "We will get there much faster and more efficiently by collaborating in an ecosystem of like-minded global leaders, leveraging each other's strengths and accelerating innovation," she added.

Telstra and Accenture Announce Global AI Joint Venture By Investing.com

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telstra and Accenture (NYSE: NYSE:ACN) today announced a proposed joint venture (JV) to rapidly accelerate Telstra (OTC:TLGPY)'s data and AI roadmap to further extend its network leadership, improve customer experience, and help its teams operate more efficiently and effectively. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250115057058/en/ Steered by joint global leadership, the JV would comprise specialists from Telstra and Accenture's Data & AI teams to build on Telstra's work creating a world-class data and AI ecosystem, modernising its data and AI platforms, and embedding responsible AI by design. As part of the JV, Telstra would benefit from Accenture's $3 billion AI investment in assets, industry solutions, ventures, acquisitions, talent and ecosystem partnerships, with access to the latest innovation in AI technologies and AI teams in Silicon Valley. A key focus of the JV would be to reinvent business processes through new capabilities like agentic AI, enabling teams to work with intelligent AI ecosystems to optimise key tasks end-to-end. The JV would also build specialised AI tools to support teams to work smarter and faster, helping build data and AI fluency across Telstra's workforce, and fast-tracking the development of future-critical skills. The proposed seven-year JV is subject to consultation with Telstra's employees and unions. Telstra's core Data & AI workforce, based in Australia and India, would receive an offer to join the JV. At the end of the seven-year term, JV employees would be offered a role at Telstra. The JV is expected to become more efficient and streamlined as the acceleration of Telstra's data and AI roadmap is delivered. Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said the JV would leverage Accenture's global expertise to scale AI responsibly and at pace, which would help Telstra deliver seamless connectivity and better experiences for customers. We've made strong progress on our AI goals and already have hundreds of value-driving AI use-cases across the business. This includes generative AI tools built in-house, like AskTelstra and One Sentence Summary, which are helping our people support customers more effectively and efficiently, Ms Brady said. But our data and AI ambition goes well beyond introducing AI tools. It goes to the heart of what we do " connecting Australia, and Australians to the world. From building self-healing, resilient networks, to reinventing experiences for our customers and the way we work, AI will help power an exciting, connected future. We will get there much faster and more efficiently by collaborating in an ecosystem of likeminded global leaders, leveraging each other's strengths and accelerating innovation. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and our joint venture with Quantium have been critical enablers in our AI journey so far, and this joint venture with Accenture will propel us into the next phase of our AI evolution. Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture, said: We are entering a new era of AI-driven reinvention. Leading companies across the world are embracing agentic AI and generative AI to reinvent themselves using the technology and new ways of working to drive productivity and growth. We are proud of our long-standing collaboration with a visionary leader like Telstra, and committed to accelerating its bold AI fuelled business strategy, which will set new standards for the telecom industry. We are also excited about combining our experience, talent and capabilities with Telstra's to drive innovation and value for Telstra's customers, people, and shareholders today and in the future. As part of these changes, Telstra would consolidate vendor support from 18 data and AI providers and partners down to two JVs - Quantium Telstra and the proposed joint venture with Accenture. This would drive deeper strategic partnership, shared accountability, and enable further acceleration in data and AI. It follows Telstra's Software (ETR:SOWGn) Engineering & IT division consolidating its partners last year, which saw it move from more than 400 vendors to two strategic partners, streamlining operations, reducing complexity and delivering efficiencies. The proposed JV would be 60 per cent owned by Accenture and 40 per cent Telstra, with Telstra retaining control over its data and AI strategy and roadmap, which the JV would help deliver. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services - creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 799,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 ° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 ° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com. About Telstra Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and technology company. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets in Australia, operating the largest mobile and wi-fi networks. Globally, we provide end-to-end solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions. We have licenses in Asia, Europe and the United States and offer access to more than 2,000 points of presence across the globe. For more information visit www.telstra.com Copyright © 2025 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

Telstra and Accenture Announce Joint Venture to Accelerate AI and Data Strategy

The partnership is set to drive significant innovation across Telstra's workforce and customer base. Telstra and Accenture have announced a proposed joint venture (JV) to rapidly accelerate the Australian operator's data and AI roadmap to further extend its network 'leadership', improve customer experience, and help its teams operate more efficiently and effectively. The proposed JV would be 60 percent owned by Accenture and 40 percent by Telstra, with Telstra maintaining control over its data and AI strategy and roadmap, which the JV would help deliver. No additional details regarding the agreement's financing were provided. Also Read: Telstra Teams Up with Starlink to Launch Satellite-to-Mobile Messaging in Australia "The JV would comprise specialists from Telstra and Accenture's Data and AI teams to build on Telstra's work creating a world-class data and AI ecosystem, modernising its data and AI platforms, and embedding responsible AI by design," the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. "A key focus of the JV would be to reinvent business processes through new capabilities like agentic AI, enabling teams to work with intelligent AI ecosystems to optimise key tasks end-to-end," the official release said. "The JV would also build specialised AI tools to support teams to work smarter and faster, helping build data and AI fluency across Telstra's workforce, and fast-tracking the development of future-critical skills." "As part of the JV, Telstra would benefit from Accenture's USD 3 billion AI investment in assets, industry solutions, ventures, acquisitions, talent and ecosystem partnerships, with access to the latest innovation in AI technologies and AI teams in Silicon Valley," Accenture said. The proposed seven-year joint venture, which requires approval from Telstra's employees and unions, would offer positions to Telstra's main Data and AI staff in Australia and India, with the promise of roles at Telstra after the venture concludes. Also Read: Telstra Implements Automated Energy Saver for Sustainable 5G Network Management Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said the JV would leverage Accenture's global expertise to scale AI responsibly and at pace, which would help Telstra deliver seamless connectivity and better experiences for customers. "We've made strong progress on our AI goals and already have hundreds of value-driving AI use-cases across the business. This includes generative AI tools built in-house, like AskTelstra and One Sentence Summary, which are helping our people support customers more effectively and efficiently," Brady said. "But our data and AI ambition goes well beyond introducing AI tools. It goes to the heart of what we do - connecting Australia, and Australians to the world. From building self-healing, resilient networks, to reinventing experiences for our customers and the way we work, AI will help power an exciting, connected future." "We will get there much faster and more efficiently by collaborating in an ecosystem of likeminded global leaders, leveraging each other's strengths and accelerating innovation. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft and our joint venture with Quantium have been critical enablers in our AI journey so far, and this joint venture with Accenture will propel us into the next phase of our AI evolution." Also Read: Accenture and Its Growing Network of Partners for AI Driven Solutions Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, said: "We are entering a new era of AI-driven reinvention. Leading companies across the world are embracing agentic AI and generative AI to reinvent themselves using the technology and new ways of working to drive productivity and growth." "We are proud of our long-standing collaboration with a visionary leader like Telstra, and committed to accelerating its bold AI fuelled business strategy, which will set new standards for the telecom industry." "We are also excited about combining our experience, talent and capabilities with Telstra's to drive innovation and value for Telstra's customers, people, and shareholders today and in the future." Telstra would also consolidate vendor support from 18 data and AI providers and partners down to two JVs - Quantium Telstra and the proposed joint venture with Accenture. This consolidation follows a similar effort in Telstra's Software Engineering and IT division last year, which reduced its vendors from over 400 to two strategic partners, the official release said.