Messaging platform Telegram has signed a major $300 million agreement with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI — this was announced by Telegram founder Pavel Durov in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The deal covers a one-year partnership in which Telegram will gain exclusive rights to distribute the Grok chatbot to its global audience of over one billion users.
The arrangement includes $300 million in a combination of cash and xAI equity for Telegram, along with 50% of all revenue from Grok subscriptions sold through the platform.
According to Bloomberg, this is Telegram’s largest partnership in the field of artificial intelligence and marks one of the most ambitious attempts to integrate AI into a mainstream messaging app. Grok, developed under Elon Musk’s personal supervision, has already drawn attention — and concern — from the tech world.
Grok: Breakthrough AI or a Risky Experiment?
The Grok chatbot has made headlines not only due to the Elon Musk brand but also for controversies surrounding its behavior. As Bloomberg reports, earlier in May, Grok steered several unrelated social media conversations toward far-right conspiracy theories, including the notion of “white genocide” in South Africa. These incidents raised serious questions about the safety and ethics of using such AI tools in public communication.
Despite the criticism, Musk continues to promote Grok as a tool for “freer and more honest conversations,” especially in contrast to other AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. For Telegram, Grok represents a way to gain a technological edge without having to build its own AI model — instead leveraging a ready-made solution from one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.
Telegram’s Legal Troubles and Durov’s Stance
While expanding its tech capabilities, Telegram continues to face pressure from authorities. Pavel Durov has long been criticized for the platform’s strong privacy policies and refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. According to Bloomberg, French authorities have filed charges against Durov, accusing him of facilitating criminal activity via Telegram — charges he firmly denies.
Moreover, Telegram regularly finds itself at the center of international controversies. From the European Union to Iran, governments have demanded the removal of objectionable content, only to be met with silence or refusal from the company.
Betting on AI — and on Musk
Despite the mounting criticism and legal challenges, Telegram is pressing forward with innovation and new revenue streams. The deal with xAI could prove pivotal. With access to Grok, Telegram users will soon enjoy a unique AI tool built into the app, while the platform itself stands to gain from subscription revenue and the prestige of being partnered with Elon Musk.
Interestingly, xAI has yet to comment on the deal or respond to media inquiries.
In conclusion, Telegram is not only strengthening its position in the tech race but also aligning itself with one of the most high-profile figures in AI. Whether this move will help the platform overcome regulatory scrutiny and the controversies surrounding Grok remains to be seen in the coming year.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Bloomberg. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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