Elon Musk’s xAI strikes a monumental $300 million deal with Telegram, bringing Grok AI to over one billion users while bypassing leftist tech platforms that have long censored conservative voices.
Key Takeaways
- Telegram has partnered with Elon Musk’s xAI in a one-year, $300 million deal to integrate Grok AI across its platform
- The partnership includes $300M in cash and equity to Telegram, plus 50% of revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through Telegram
- Grok AI will be available to Telegram’s billion-plus users this summer, creating a massive alternative to leftist-controlled AI platforms
- This strategic alliance comes as Grok 3 competes directly with ChatGPT, offering a less censored AI option that aligns with free speech values
- Despite concerns over Telegram’s usage for certain activities, Durov emphasized that user privacy will be maintained with xAI only accessing data explicitly shared with Grok
Strategic Partnership Reshapes AI Landscape
In a powerful move to challenge the liberal AI establishment, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced a groundbreaking partnership with President Trump ally Elon Musk’s xAI. The collaboration will integrate Musk’s Grok AI models into Telegram’s platform, reaching its estimated billion-plus user base. The agreement, slated to last one year, represents a significant alliance between two tech leaders who have consistently defended free speech principles against big tech censorship and government overreach.
“This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market. @elonmusk and I have agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI’s @grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps,” announced Pavel Durov, Telegram founder.
🔥 This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market. @elonmusk and I have agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI’s @grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps 🤝
💪 This also strengthens Telegram’s financial… pic.twitter.com/ZPK550AyRV
— Pavel Durov (@durov) May 28, 2025
Financial Windfall and Revenue Sharing
The financial aspects of the deal are substantial, providing Telegram with much-needed resources while creating a powerful alliance against mainstream tech giants. Telegram will receive $300 million in cash and equity from xAI, strengthening its financial position at a critical time. Additionally, the messaging platform will earn 50 percent of the revenue generated from xAI subscriptions sold through Telegram, creating a sustainable revenue stream beyond the initial investment.
“This also strengthens Telegram’s financial position: we will receive $300M in cash and equity from xAI, plus 50 percent of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold via Telegram,” stated Pavel Durov, Telegram founder.
For Musk’s xAI, the partnership delivers immediate access to Telegram’s massive global user base, allowing Grok to rapidly expand its reach beyond X (formerly Twitter). Currently, Grok is available on X with certain limitations for non-paying users, while the premium service costs $40 per month or $395 annually. This strategic partnership allows Musk to challenge the AI dominance of leftist-controlled platforms while building a parallel tech ecosystem that respects free speech principles.
Competing with Liberal AI Giants
The alliance comes as Musk’s xAI released Grok 3, positioning it as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI systems. This intensifies the rivalry between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose platform has faced criticism for its politically biased content moderation. While Grok currently ranks eighth on the HuggingFace leaderboard for model effectiveness, the massive distribution through Telegram could rapidly accelerate its adoption and development.
The timing of this partnership is particularly significant as generative AI businesses are aggressively expanding their user bases to recover revenues after making substantial technological investments. By partnering with Telegram, xAI gains an immediate pathway to global scale without being dependent on leftist-controlled app stores or platforms that might otherwise restrict access to Grok’s less censored AI capabilities.
User Privacy and Legal Challenges
Amid the expansion, both companies have emphasized their commitment to user privacy, though Telegram has faced scrutiny over its platform policies. Durov, who was recently arrested in France over allegations related to Telegram’s handling of illegal activities but released on bail, has emphasized that user privacy will be maintained in the partnership. He is currently required to remain in Paris and report to police, having been denied travel to the US for investment negotiations.
“User privacy is paramount. To be clear, xAI will only access data that Telegram users explicitly share with Grok through direct interactions. That’s expected — you can’t message anyone (including a chatbot) without sharing what you write,” explained Pavel Durov, Telegram founder.
Despite controversies, Musk’s Grok has continued to gain traction, recently being added to Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. This Telegram partnership represents another major step in creating an alternative tech ecosystem that resists the censorship and biased content moderation that has plagued conservative voices on mainstream platforms. As Grok becomes available on Telegram this summer, users will have access to an AI system designed with fewer political biases and greater respect for free speech principles.
