Telegram, the privacy-focused messaging platform with over 900 million users worldwide, has entered a transformative partnership with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI. Valued at $300 million in a mix of cash and equity, the deal aims to embed xAI’s Grok chatbot across Telegram’s vast app ecosystem, making artificial intelligence a core feature of the platform.
The agreement, set to last one year, grants Telegram a 50% share of subscription revenue from xAI’s services purchased through its platform. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov confirmed the partnership in a video post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a significant step in deepening user engagement and expanding monetization strategies beyond advertising and premium subscriptions.
Previously accessible only to Telegram Premium users, Grok will now be available to all users, expanding its reach and potential influence. In addition to standard chatbot functionality, Grok’s integration goes deeper than typical AI deployments seen on social apps. According to the preview, users will be able to pin Grok to the top of chats, query it directly from the search bar, and leverage its capabilities for summarizing messages, suggesting responses, generating stickers, and even moderating group conversations.
The move reflects a growing trend among messaging platforms to infuse AI into user workflows. Meta, for instance, recently integrated its Meta AI tool into the search functions of Instagram and WhatsApp, setting the stage for a competitive AI arms race within the social communication space.
Strategic Leverage for Both Sides
The Telegram-xAI deal is a strategic win for both companies. For Telegram, it unlocks a new revenue stream and strengthens its offering for entrepreneurs and communities using the app for commerce, education, or support. For xAI, the partnership delivers direct access to a massive user base—a key advantage as AI firms seek real-world interaction data to train and refine their models.
“Grok will be instrumental for both casual users and businesses,” said Durov. “Its ability to assist with moderation and respond to customer inquiries positions it as a valuable tool for Telegram’s large base of community managers, content creators, and entrepreneurs.”
Although Elon Musk clarified that a formal agreement has not been signed, Durov responded that both parties had reached an agreement in principle, with paperwork in progress.
Still, questions remain about the handling of user data. Durov has emphasized that Grok will only have access to information explicitly shared by users in direct interactions. Given the increasing scrutiny over data privacy in the AI space, especially as Meta and X (formerly Twitter) have admitted to using public posts to train models, the specifics of Telegram’s data policy with xAI will likely be watched closely.
Telegram’s Road Ahead
Telegram’s financial fortunes have been on an upward trajectory. With revenue surpassing $1 billion in 2024 and over $500 million in cash reserves, the company is well-positioned to experiment with scalable innovations. Yet, it faces lingering reputational challenges. Allegations of lax content moderation have shadowed the platform’s growth and led to the high-profile arrest of Durov in France in August 2024. He was later released on bail but remains under judicial supervision.
Despite such controversies, Telegram continues to push forward with bold partnerships. The Grok integration could signal the start of a new phase for messaging platforms—one where AI doesn’t just enhance communication but becomes central to how users navigate digital life.
