Telstra is set to axe over 200 jobs as part of its massive artificial intelligence (AI) rollout. The telco has announced that it will be scaling back certain operations in favour of a joint venture with technology consultancy Accenture, which promises to drive efficiency and productivity.
Under the deal, Telstra and Accenture will form a $700 million partnership aimed at modernizing and growing the data and AI ecosystem. However, this means that around 209 jobs will be cut, with the majority being in roles where work is no longer required or can be done by machines.
The joint venture will see Accenture bring its global capabilities, advanced AI expertise, and specialist hub in India to Telstra's operations. This move aims to deliver a faster data and AI roadmap for customers, while also achieving improved cost efficiencies over time.
Affected employees have been informed that they will have access to career transition programs and retrenchment benefits. While this may provide some support, it remains to be seen how many jobs will actually be lost due to the shift towards AI.
This latest move follows Telstra's announcement last year that 2,800 enterprise business jobs would be cut. The telco claims that this move will help drive productivity and growth, with CEO Vicki Brady hailing AI as a key driver of change in the industry. However, critics have raised concerns about the impact on human workers as machines take over routine tasks.
The joint venture is seen as a significant step forward for Telstra's data and AI efforts, but it remains to be seen whether this move will ultimately benefit or harm employees and the wider community.
Under the deal, Telstra and Accenture will form a $700 million partnership aimed at modernizing and growing the data and AI ecosystem. However, this means that around 209 jobs will be cut, with the majority being in roles where work is no longer required or can be done by machines.
The joint venture will see Accenture bring its global capabilities, advanced AI expertise, and specialist hub in India to Telstra's operations. This move aims to deliver a faster data and AI roadmap for customers, while also achieving improved cost efficiencies over time.
Affected employees have been informed that they will have access to career transition programs and retrenchment benefits. While this may provide some support, it remains to be seen how many jobs will actually be lost due to the shift towards AI.
This latest move follows Telstra's announcement last year that 2,800 enterprise business jobs would be cut. The telco claims that this move will help drive productivity and growth, with CEO Vicki Brady hailing AI as a key driver of change in the industry. However, critics have raised concerns about the impact on human workers as machines take over routine tasks.
The joint venture is seen as a significant step forward for Telstra's data and AI efforts, but it remains to be seen whether this move will ultimately benefit or harm employees and the wider community.
It’s like, yeah, AI is gonna bring some efficiency and all that, but what about the humans who are already struggling to make ends meet? Like, Telstra’s got this fancy $700 million partnership with Accenture, but where’s the focus on supporting the workers who are losing their jobs? 
Shouldn’t they be investing in training programs or something to help people transition into new roles?
Where’s the human touch? Can we really just replace that with robots and algorithms? It's like, what's the point of even having jobs if they're just gonna be automated away? 
I feel bad for the ones who are getting affected by this change. Hope they get the best career transition support and don't struggle too much 
I guess it's good to hear they're offering career transition programs and retrenchment benefits, but still... can't help feeling a little worried about the future of work 
I feel so bad for those 200+ people who are about to lose their jobs. I know it's all about efficiency and growth, but what about the human touch? We're already feeling so lonely in this digital age, now we're going to be replaced by machines too? 
At least they'll have career transition programs, that's a good start, but still... 
. I feel so bad for those who are going to be affected by this change. Telstra is trying to stay ahead with AI but it's sad that humans will have to bear the brunt of it 
. I hope they get the support and resources they need during this transition 
.