Telegram just landed a big deal with Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI. A sum of $300 million has been invested by xAI in the messaging platform. Telegram founder Pavel Durov shared the news on X, saying the deal includes both cash and equity. Telegram will also receive 50% of all xAI subscription revenue generated through its app.
Grok, once limited to Telegram Premium users, might now be widely available. Users can pin it to chats, ask questions from the search bar, and use it to summarize conversations or generate content. Durov called it a helpful business assistant too capable of answering customer questions and moderating content.
This step puts Telegram in the AI race alongside Meta, which recently launched Meta AI on Instagram and WhatsApp. The pressure to integrate smart tools into daily messaging is rising fast.
For Telegram, this is more than just a tech update, it’s a smart business play. With over 900 million users worldwide, it’s a major platform for launching AI tools. The deal opens a fresh stream of income, beyond ads and subscriptions.
Durov noted in 2024 that Telegram crossed $1 billion in revenue and became profitable. The company now has 12 million paying subscribers and more than $500 million in cash, not counting crypto.
Still, Telegram faces criticism. The platform has been accused of poor content control, becoming a hotspot for criminals. These claims led to Durov’s arrest in France in August 2024. He was released on a €5 million bail but must stay in France and report to the police twice a week.
Despite the controversy, Telegram keeps growing. With Grok now in the mix, the app is betting big on AI to shape its future.
