On Wednesday, Telstra Group proposed a partnership with U.S. - listed Accenture for enhancing the operations of Australia's top Telco through AI, as a part of its ongoing vendor consolidation strategy.

The proposed joint endeavor is a part of the broader strategy for streamlining the vendor relationships of Telstra, decreasing its data & AI providers to just two joint ventures from 18.  

This consolidation follows a similar kind of an effort in Telstra's SE (Software Engineering) & IT division last year, which cut its sellers from more than 400 to two strategic partners.

The JV aims to enhance Telstra's business processes by presenting advanced artificial intelligence systems which work more efficiently the organizations stated in a press release. It further intends to build specialized AI tools as well as training programs for improving the skills as well as AI knowledge of Telstra’s workforce.

"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."