Telegram Inks $300 Million Deal with xAI to Bring Grok AI to Its Billion-Plus Users

Telegram has secured a transformative one-year partnership with Elon Musk’s xAI to integrate the Grok generative AI chatbot into its messaging platform, as announced by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov on Wednesday.

The deal, valued at $300 million in cash and equity, also grants Telegram 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through its app.

Set to launch this summer, the integration will bring Grok’s advanced AI capabilities to Telegram’s estimated one billion monthly active users, completing a major expansion for xAI beyond its X platform.

The partnership underscores the growing trend of embedding AI into messaging apps to enhance user engagement and recover substantial investments in generative AI technology.

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Strategic Partnership Details

Under the agreement, Telegram will integrate Grok across its ecosystem, enabling features like chat summarization, smart text editing, and AI-driven sticker creation.

The $300 million investment, combined with the revenue-sharing model, strengthens Telegram’s financial position as it plans to raise $1.5 billion through a bond issue this week, according to recent industry reports.

xAI benefits by accessing Telegram’s vast user base, which surpasses one billion monthly users, a milestone reached in early 2025.

This move aligns with xAI’s strategy to compete with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and China’s DeepSeek in the rapidly evolving AI market.

While Musk noted that no formal deal has been signed, Durov clarified that the agreement is in principle, with formalities pending.

Did You Know?
Telegram’s premium subscription service, launched in 2022, now boasts over 15 million paid users, generating more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, according to recent financial reports.

Competitive Landscape and Privacy Considerations

The partnership positions Telegram to rival platforms like WhatsApp, which recently integrated Meta AI into its search functionality. Grok, already available to X’s premium users at $40 per month or $395 per year, will now reach a broader audience, potentially boosting xAI’s subscription revenue.

However, privacy concerns have surfaced, with Durov emphasizing that Grok will only access data explicitly shared by users through direct interactions.

This assurance comes amid scrutiny of Telegram’s content moderation practices, with Durov facing legal challenges in France over alleged illegal activities on the platform.

Industry data highlights that AI-driven messaging features could increase user engagement by 25%, making this deal a strategic play for both companies in a competitive landscape.