The encrypted messaging platform Telegram established a partnership with Elon Musk’s xAI to enable the Grok chatbot across its worldwide user base. The one-year partnership between Telegram and xAI will deliver AI tools to more than one billion users while providing Telegram with $300 million in cash and equity and 50% of Grok’s Telegram-based subscription revenue.
The partnership unites two technology leaders who have received widespread criticism. The partnership between Durov and Musk has sparked criticism about Telegram’s moderation practices while xAI faces opposition from OpenAI which Musk co-founded. The acquisition of Twitter by xAI resulted in a valuation of $80 billion for the platform which now operates as X.
The market analysts interpret this development as a part of the emerging pattern where AI systems integrate with social media platforms. The integration of AI into messaging applications faces criticism because it may damage user trust. Midia Research analyst Hanna Kahlert stated that AI integration in messaging applications diverts users from their fundamental functions.
