Telegram Teams Up with Elon Musk’s xAI to Add Grok AI

Encrypted messaging giant Telegram has officially announced a major partnership with Elon Musk’s AI company xAI, aiming to bring its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok to more than a billion global users.

A $300 Million Deal for the Future of Messaging

Telegram founder Pavel Durov took to social media to unveil the partnership, which includes a $300 million package in cash and equity, and a 50% revenue share from xAI subscriptions sold directly via Telegram.

“Together, we win!” Durov, posted on social media.

According to BBC News, the partnership is set to last a year and is expected to deeply embed Grok within Telegram’s suite of apps.

Why This Matters: Competing with Meta and Big Tech

Telegram’s move comes in the wake of Meta’s recent rollout of its AI assistant in WhatsApp, which has faced backlash from users over privacy and integration concerns. Unlike Meta, Telegram is partnering with a startup known for its non-traditional AI approach and free speech leanings.

Grok, the AI bot developed by xAI, is branded as an edgier, more “unfiltered” alternative to tools like ChatGPT, making it a potentially better cultural fit for Telegram’s user base.

Two Tech Mavericks Joining Forces

This partnership also draws attention due to the unique personalities behind it.

Pavel Durov, often dubbed the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” was arrested in France in August 2024 amid accusations of failing to control illegal content on Telegram. Critics have described the app as “the dark web in your pocket,” although Durov has strongly denied the claims and maintains that Telegram cooperates with law enforcement in tackling drug trafficking and child exploitation.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk—who now runs X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and SpaceX—is expanding his AI ambitions after a public fallout with OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT. Musk left OpenAI and later tried (and failed) to buy it, eventually launching xAI to rival industry leaders.

In March 2025, Musk’s company xAI acquired X (Twitter), valuing xAI at $80 billion, further strengthening his foothold in both social media and AI.

What’s Next for Users?

With the Telegram-xAI deal, users can expect direct access to Grok AI from within their messaging app—bringing AI assistance, search, and automation directly into chat environments. For Telegram, it’s a chance to monetize AI while staying independent from larger tech ecosystems like Meta, Google, and Apple.