One NZ recognised on global stage for AI innovation in telecommunications

One NZ has become the first New Zealand telecommunications provider to receive a TM Forum Catalyst Award, marking a significant milestone for the country's tech sector on the global stage. The award recognizes 'The Butler Did It,' an AI-powered project developed in collaboration with international partners like Vodafone, Salesforce, and AWS. This recognition underscores the industry's transition toward AI-driven digital services that offer proactive network management and enhanced business value beyond basic connectivity.

The award was presented at TM Forum's Digital Transformation World event in Copenhagen, where One NZ's project was selected as one of six winners from 49 international Catalyst teams. The project, titled 'The Butler Did It,' was a collaborative effort involving Vodafone, Salesforce, AWS, Personal (Argentina), Aria, and Virtusa, drawing from a pool of over 1,350 participants. This achievement marks the first time a New Zealand-based telecommunications provider has received this specific honor, positioning the company alongside the world's leading technology innovators.

The 'Butler' concept explores how artificial intelligence can transform traditional telecommunications by providing intelligent digital services that go beyond simple network connectivity. These AI-powered 'Butlers' are designed to help organizations optimize their network performance, monitor for security risks, and proactively resolve service issues. By tailoring these AI-driven services to specific business needs, telecommunications providers can deliver significantly greater value and improve the overall customer experience through automation.

Representing One NZ in Copenhagen, GM AI & Data Products Neeharika Chowdhary noted that the recognition reflects the global competitiveness of New Zealand's innovation. The project team also included Sharina Nisha, Ashel Reuben, Ruan Coetzee, and Willem Senekal. Nisha, the GM of Transformation, highlighted that the company's long-term use of automation and machine learning provided the necessary foundation for these advanced AI applications. The TM Forum Catalyst programme serves as a platform for industry leaders to co-create solutions that solve real-world challenges and help establish future industry standards.