Jan 15 (Reuters) - Telstra Group ( TTRAF ) on Wednesday

proposed a partnership with U.S.-listed Accenture ( ACN ) to

improve the operations of Australia's top telco through

artificial intelligence (AI), as part of its ongoing vendor

consolidation strategy.

The proposed joint venture is part of a broader strategy to

streamline Telstra's ( TTRAF ) vendor relationships, reducing its data and

AI providers from 18 to just two joint ventures.

This consolidation follows a similar effort in Telstra's ( TTRAF )

Software Engineering & IT division last year, which cut its

vendors from over 400 to two strategic partners.

The JV aims to improve Telstra's ( TTRAF ) business processes by

introducing advanced AI systems that help teams work more

efficiently, the two companies said in a joint press release. It

also intends to develop specialized AI tools and training

programs to enhance the skills and AI knowledge of Telstra's ( TTRAF )

workforce.

"As part of the JV, Telstra ( TTRAF ) would benefit from Accenture's ( ACN )

$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."

The proposed seven-year joint venture, which requires

approval from Telstra's ( TTRAF ) employees and unions, would offer

positions to Telstra's ( TTRAF ) main Data and AI staff in Australia and

India, with the promise of roles at Telstra ( TTRAF ) after the venture

ends, it said.

The JV would be 60% owned by the Ireland-headquartered IT

services firm, however no detail on the agreement's financing

was provided.