Elon Musk’s xAI Strikes $300M Deal with Telegram to Deploy Grok AI Chatbot

In a bold move that could reshape how AI chatbots interact with global audiences, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has struck a strategic partnership with messaging giant Telegram. This high-stakes agreement, reportedly worth \$300 million, will bring xAI’s Grok chatbot directly to Telegram’s vast user base. The deal hints at a powerful alliance where cutting-edge technology meets massive digital reach, with both companies standing to gain more than just financial rewards.

This collaboration reflects the rising importance of generative AI in the consumer tech landscape and sets the stage for how messaging platforms may evolve into AI-powered ecosystems. With Telegram boasting over a billion users worldwide, Grok’s integration could signal a major step in xAI’s ambition to become a leading force in the artificial intelligence race.

Telegram Partners with xAI to Introduce Grok Chatbot: Key Highlights

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is partnering with Telegram in a deal worth \$300 million, combining cash and stock. Over the next year, xAI’s Grok chatbot will be deployed directly within the Telegram messaging app. In return, Telegram will receive 50% of any subscription sales made through the app, according to founder Pavel Durov’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter).

Durov emphasized that the integration will respect user privacy, with Grok only accessing data that users explicitly share during interactions. However, there remains some confusion about the deal’s finality. Musk responded to Durov’s post by stating that no official agreement has been signed yet. Durov later clarified that the deal had been agreed upon “in principle,” with final documentation still pending.

This partnership holds major implications for both companies. For xAI, the agreement offers access to vast user data that can aid in training and refining its AI models—a valuable resource in a space where quality data is increasingly scarce. AI developers like Meta are already leveraging public interactions with AI tools to enrich their datasets, and xAI may be following a similar path.

Grok’s integration is also a significant business move for Telegram. The company could see a new revenue stream by monetizing AI subscriptions without compromising its user experience. Whether or not xAI will use Telegram interactions as training data remains unclear, though the precedent set by Musk’s other company, X, suggests it is possible.

So far in 2025, xAI has been on an aggressive expansion streak, forming alliances across various sectors, particularly focusing on AI infrastructure and financial services. This Telegram partnership could be one of its most impactful yet.

What Undercode Say:

The xAI-Telegram partnership marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI and messaging platforms. By placing the Grok chatbot in front of over a billion Telegram users, xAI dramatically boosts its visibility and potential data pipeline, which is critical in today’s AI arms race.

First, the financial structure of the deal is telling. A \$300 million agreement—partially in stock—shows xAI’s confidence in long-term collaboration and its belief in Telegram’s strategic value. More than just a product integration, this is a stake in the future of messaging and AI convergence.

The 50/50 subscription revenue split also points to a shift in monetization strategy for Telegram. Historically free of ads and monetization pressure, Telegram now appears open to premium services through AI. That opens doors not just for Grok but for future third-party AI tools as well.

However, the ambiguity around user data usage raises red flags. While Durov insists on explicit consent, the broader AI industry trend has shown that platforms often find creative ways to use “public” data. Given that Musk’s X already uses public posts to train models, it’s plausible xAI might seek to tap Telegram user interactions as well—especially given the goldmine of multilingual, real-time conversations Telegram hosts.

The timing also aligns with xAI’s broader push. With open-source data sources nearly depleted, direct integrations like this one become a strategic necessity. Instead of scraping the web, xAI can now pull from an organic, engaged user base, possibly tailoring Grok’s responses with higher relevance and fluency across languages and regions.

For Telegram, the move brings risks and rewards. While new revenue opportunities are appealing, associating too closely with xAI may alienate privacy-focused users. Telegram has long marketed itself as a secure, user-first platform, and any signs of data commercialization could damage its reputation.

Yet, the opportunity is too large to ignore. AI is the next frontier for messaging apps, and Telegram has always aimed to stay ahead of the curve. This partnership with xAI may allow it to offer native AI experiences that rival WhatsApp, iMessage, and WeChat.

The Musk factor also adds weight. His brand still commands attention, and aligning with his AI vision gives Telegram a unique angle in a space dominated by big tech players like Google, Microsoft, and Meta.

Ultimately, if the deal proceeds beyond just “in principle,” it will set a precedent for how private messaging platforms integrate AI at scale—with privacy, monetization, and user experience all on the line.

Fact Checker Results ✅

The \$300 million deal was confirmed by Durov, though not yet formally signed, as Musk noted.
Telegram will receive 50% of subscription revenue from Grok usage.
Privacy remains a concern, with xAI expected to only access data shared directly with Grok. 🧠🔍📱

Prediction 📊

If finalized, the xAI-Telegram partnership could trigger a wave of similar AI integrations across other messaging platforms. Expect WhatsApp, Signal, and Discord to respond with their own AI offerings. Meanwhile, Grok could become one of the most widely used AI chatbots globally within a year, provided it delivers relevant, personalized value to users—and doesn’t compromise user trust in the process.