Telegram has secured a $300 million investment from Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, in a landmark deal that will see the Grok AI chatbot integrated into the popular messaging app.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced on Wednesday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, describing the partnership as a strategic blend of cash and equity investment aimed at reshaping the AI-powered messaging experience.
As part of the agreement, Grok will be integrated into Telegram’s app ecosystem for one year, making it accessible across the platform’s global apps. Telegram will also receive 50% of all xAI subscription revenue generated through the app.
The partnership provides Telegram with a new revenue stream, complementing its existing monetization strategies, including advertising and Telegram Premium, which was launched in 2022.
With over 900 million active users worldwide, Telegram provides xAI with an expansive distribution channel for Grok, particularly in emerging markets where AI tools are experiencing rapid adoption.
The move follows Telegram’s announcement in December 2024 that it had become profitable, generating over $1 billion in revenue. Durov also revealed that Telegram ended the year with more than $500 million in cash reserves, excluding its cryptocurrency holdings.
This partnership positions Telegram at the forefront of AI-driven messaging innovation, while giving xAI a significant foothold in the competitive global chatbot market.
