Telstra's Role as a Technology Leader

📣 Check out this Telstra case study from the Human Technology Institute at University of Technology Sydney, highlighting how we are approaching #AI governance and ethics, and showing leadership in this space: https://lnkd.in/gKuVX_XV   It’s super important to take a risk-based, ethical approach to developing and using AI. At Telstra, harnessing AI responsibly is one of our top priorities, and we’ve worked on a number of initiatives both internally and with government and global partners to ensure the development of ethical AI:   📃 We partnered with the Australian Government to develop Australia’s AI Ethics Principles (and closely aligned our own Responsible AI Policy) - https://lnkd.in/gjyaHct8   📖 We worked with GSMA to co-author the AI Ethics Playbook, setting the standard for responsible AI across the global industry -https://lnkd.in/gj85iR3G ⚖ We initiated a Risk Council for Data & AI at Telstra - a dedicated cross-functional body that assesses all high-impact AI systems, providing advice and approval. 🤖 We created an AI Model Register for all AI uses cases in our business, ensuring those with significant impact are properly assessed. You can also watch Dayle Stevens OAM discuss some of the current and emerging ESG risks of AI with Professor Nicholas Davis at the recent Australian Council of Superannuation Investors conference - https://lnkd.in/gFTF9_T3   No one has all the answers here – we are all learning as we go, and it’s important that we work together to share these learnings so we can develop human-centred AI at scale, responsibly and ethically 🤝   Dayle Stevens OAM Lisa Green Tracy Moore Chris Dolman

Telstra just announced a MASSIVE bet on AI. Here's what you need to know 👇 → 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱? • Just one day after I predicted Aussie organisations will put AI to the test, Telstra announced 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔$700𝗠 𝗔𝗜 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗹 in a joint venture with Accenture. → 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻? • Details are still scarce but looks like a business-wide transformation to... • Scale AI broadly, from Gen AI to machine learning. • Target gains across the board from personalisation to productivity. → 𝗜𝘀 𝗔$700𝗠 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆? • Context: Telstra made $23.5bn in income and $7.5bn in EBITDA for FY24. • Most companies spend far less. This reflects Telstra’s scale and ambition. • I've built this stuff at world scale and it needs a lot of "non-AI" stuff like: - data platforms, vendor partnerships, leadership, top-tier talent, data engineering and science, program and product managers, experimentation, observability, and much more. • So, crazy? Maybe. Understandable? Definitely. → 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁? • Only time (and expert measurement) will tell. • 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: Huge returns and market leadership. • 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲: $700M wasted on poor execution, damaging the business. → 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗳 𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔$700𝗠? • Absolutely. Smaller, focused AI projects can deliver big value. • Talk to an expert for tailored advice 👋😉 Telstra’s move is bold—and it’s worth watching. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Don’t rush into AI decisions because of FOMO. Talk to someone who can give you an honest perspective first (like yours truly). What questions do you have about Telstra’s move—or AI in general? Let’s discuss below.

When was the last time you heard a telco proudly talk about disrupting ITSELF? Not the usual BS about "digital transformation" while still running on systems from 1997. I'm talking about real, foundational change. Just dropped a great conversation with Mark Sanders, Telstra's Chief Architect and Head of Autonomous Networks and AI Enablement. While most telcos are still trying to figure out what AI even means for them, Telstra is already codifying telco knowledge into structured ontologies to power truly autonomous networks. Mark and I dive into: • How they're moving beyond automation to true autonomy in networks • Why their composable architecture (TRAM) is the secret weapon for innovation • The role of ontology and knowledge in creating agentic AI systems that can actually REASON like your best network engineer If you're waiting for AI to mature before making your move, you're already behind. As Mark says, "I don't think in my 30 years I've ever seen such a significant change in technology and in the industry as we're going through right now." The telcos who survive won't be the ones with the biggest networks or the most customers - they'll be the ones bold enough to fundamentally rethink how they operate. Listen now. Link in first comment. #telecommunications #AI #agenticai

Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications and technology company, is revolutionizing customer service with Azure OpenAI Service and Azure AI Search! 📡✨ 🌟 Key Takeaways: 🔹Elevated Customer Service: With Azure OpenAI, Telstra developed two groundbreaking tools, Ask Telstra and One Sentence Summary, enhancing speed and effectiveness in customer interactions. 🔹Impressive Results: Early rollouts show 90% of employees saving time and 20% reduction in follow-up contact. Plus, 84% of customer agents confirm improved customer interactions. 🔹Seamless Support: These AI tools are empowering Telstra agents to provide seamless support, making customers happier than ever! 🔥 Why It Matters: 🔹Faster Responses: Azure OpenAI and AI Search dramatically speed up information retrieval, enabling agents to assist customers more efficiently. 🔹Empowered Agents: These tools help new agents onboard faster and make seasoned agents more effective. 🔹 Customer Satisfaction: A win-win for both Telstra and its customers, improving overall experience and satisfaction. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-DDDVeq #AzureAISearch #AzureOpenAI #GenerativeAI #Telecommunications

Australia's AI ambitions demand more than just vision. Telstra is building Australia's largest terrestrial intercity network, investing $1.6 billion to power the nation's AI future. This isn't just another infrastructure project: → Dual-cable architecture connecting major cities → High-speed access to regional areas → Enhanced data throughput capabilities → Secure infrastructure for critical sectors The network delivers: → Support for advanced AI applications → Powerful edge computing solutions → Robust cloud service capabilities → Digital sovereignty protection Smart nations understand: - Regional connectivity matters - Security cannot be compromised - AI leadership requires solid foundations - Digital infrastructure drives competitiveness With key routes going live in 2025 and early 2026, Australia is positioning itself for: → Enhanced digital capabilities → Stronger regional connectivity → AI leadership by 2028 → Secure digital future The question isn't whether Australia can become an AI leader. The question is: Will your business capitalize on this digital revolution?