Telus Intl Cda Inc - TIXT STOCK NEWS

TELUS, a global communications and IT company, released findings from its 2024 Data & Trust survey, revealing growing concerns about data privacy among American consumers. Key findings include:

• 82% believe data privacy matters more now than ever
• 74% worry about how organizations handle their personal data
• 88% consider a company's data handling reputation important for business decisions
• 86% agree trust in a business inspires them to buy or use its products/services
• 52% think about data privacy daily

The survey also highlighted concerns about AI development, with 86% wanting AI to be developed carefully and 81% emphasizing the importance of clarity and transparency. TELUS remains committed to leading in data trust, privacy, and security, having secured various certifications and awards for its practices.

A new survey from TELUS Digital Experience (NYSE and TSX: TIXT) reveals that 81% of Americans use voice technology daily or weekly, with 68% increasing their usage over the past year. The survey highlights the growing importance of voice tech in the customer journey, with 58% of respondents more likely to try a brand incorporating voice tech in their customer service.

Key findings include:

• 25% of Americans tried voice tech for the first time in the last month
• 69% had a positive first experience and continue using it
• Top reasons for using voice tech: speed, convenience, and multitasking
• 65% experienced misunderstandings with voice assistants
• 53% want improved accuracy in responses
• 46% desire better understanding of accents and dialects

The survey, conducted in August 2024, included 1,000 US respondents aged 18+ familiar with voice technology.

TELUS has acquired 2,593,631 subordinate voting shares of TELUS Digital through market purchases on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This acquisition represents an additional 2.35% interest in TELUS Digital subordinate voting shares since TELUS' prior early warning report on August 16, 2024. TELUS now holds approximately 5.99% of the outstanding subordinate voting shares.

The purchase was made under the normal course purchase exemption. After the acquisition, TELUS holds 152,004,019 multiple voting shares and 6,624,822 subordinate voting shares, representing about 92.5% of outstanding multiple voting shares, 6.0% of outstanding subordinate voting shares, and 87.0% of outstanding voting rights of TELUS Digital.

TELUS CEO Darren Entwistle stated that these purchases reflect their confidence in TELUS Digital's long-term profitable growth strategy and are not part of a privatization plan.

TELUS Digital (NYSE and TSX: TIXT) has officially rebranded from TELUS International, reflecting its commitment to providing digital-first experiences across all client services. The company aims to seamlessly integrate digital, AI-powered, and human interactions to optimize customer journeys and employee experiences.

Key highlights include:

• Jason Macdonnell appointed as Acting CEO and President of TELUS Digital Customer Experience
• Tobias Dengel as President of TELUS Digital Solutions
• AI-related business contributed ~15% to overall revenue in H1 2024, growing 13% YoY
• Launch of Fuel iX, an advanced GenAI engine, and Fuel EX, an employee productivity application
• Introduction of Humanity-in-the-loop principles for responsible AI approach
• Continued recognition as an industry leader with multiple awards and certifications

TELUS Digital, formerly TELUS International (NYSE and TSX: TIXT), has been named a Leader in the Everest Group Customer Experience Management (CXM) Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment - Americas for the sixth consecutive year. The company was one of only six positioned in the Leader category out of 43 assessed service providers in 2024.

Highlights include:

• Comprehensive suite of digital CX services and solutions
• GenAI offerings: Fuel iX and GenAI Jumpstart Accelerator
• Strong technology partner ecosystem
• Skilled talent pool and innovation capabilities

The recognition affirms TELUS Digital's ongoing investments in talent, digital CX capabilities, and technology partnerships. The company's integration of advanced digital solutions with human expertise has consistently delivered superior customer experiences for clients.

TELUS has joined the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC), becoming the first Canadian telecom to participate in this initiative aimed at developing safe and trustworthy AI. The consortium, established by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology, includes over 280 leading AI stakeholders from various sectors. TELUS's involvement underscores its commitment to responsible AI development and deployment.

TELUS has been a pioneer in AI ethics, recently launching a generative AI customer support tool that became the first in the world to be internationally certified in Privacy by Design (ISO 31700-1). The company also won an Outstanding Organization 2023 prize from the Responsible AI Institute and is the first Canadian telecom to sign the Government of Canada's voluntary code of conduct for generative AI.

TELUS International, soon to rebrand as TELUS Digital Experience, is revolutionizing customer support with GenAI-powered asynchronous messaging. The company has developed TELUS Expert Messaging, a 24/7 support tool integrated into the My TELUS app, eliminating wait times associated with traditional customer service channels.

This innovative solution, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) using Local Measure's Engage platform, combines AI efficiency with personalized human support. It allows customers to start, pause, and resume conversations at their convenience, while enabling providers to triage queries effectively.

The system prioritizes data privacy and ethical standards, incorporating Privacy by Design principles. TELUS Expert Messaging is currently available in English, with a French version planned for Q4. This development aligns with TELUS' strategy to differentiate itself through premium digital experiences and responsible digital transformation.

TELUS Digital reported its Q2 2024 results, showcasing strong cash flows despite macroeconomic pressures.

Revenue decreased by 2% year-over-year to $652 million due to lower revenues from a leading social media client. Net loss was $3 million with a diluted EPS of $(0.08). However, Adjusted Net Income increased by 5% to $46 million, and Adjusted EBITDA rose by 10% to $130 million.

Full-year 2024 guidance has been revised: revenue between $2,610-$2,665 million, Adjusted EBITDA $465-$485 million, and Adjusted Diluted EPS $0.39-$0.44.

Key executive changes include Jeff Puritt's retirement as CEO, with Jason Macdonnell as Acting CEO, and Tobias Dengel elevated to President of TELUS Digital Solutions.

Notable achievements include growing AI-related business accounting for ~15% of total revenue and new contracts with prominent clients. Cash flows remain strong, supporting debt repayment and reinvestments.

TELUS reported its Q2 2024 results, highlighting a 13% increase in net income to $221 million and a 7.1% rise in EPS to $0.15. The company's consolidated EBITDA rose by 5.5% to $1.7 billion, while adjusted EBITDA saw a 5.6% increase to $1.8 billion. Key drivers included subscriber growth in mobile, internet, and security services, alongside efficiency improvements and cost reductions.

Customer additions reached a record 332,000, with notable contributions from 101,000 mobile phones and 161,000 connected devices. TELUS Health and TELUS Agriculture also showed strong performance, with healthcare lives covered increasing by 10% to 75.1 million and agriculture revenue up by 15%.

Despite a competitive environment, TELUS maintained its guidance for capital expenditures at $2.6 billion but revised its free cash flow forecast to $2.1 billion. The company continues to focus on driving margin-accretive customer growth and operational efficiency.