Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, expects to reduce its workforce by 2030 as it increasingly relies on artificial intelligence to drive efficiency, particularly in customer service and software development. CEO Vicki Brady and CFO Michael Ackland told investors that embracing AI would be key to cost savings and operational changes, highlighting the rapid advances in autonomous AI agents. Although AI technology has not yet been deployed to interact directly with customers, it is already being used to automate back-office tasks, and further integration is imminent. The company’s new strategy aims to balance headcount reductions with industry-leading employee engagement, targeting global leadership in AI maturity by 2030. The shift reflects broader industry trends but has also raised concerns among analysts about the pace and impact of AI-enabled job cuts.
Related article:
