Elon Musk has unveiled his latest venture, xAI, with an ambitious mission to unravel the fundamental truths of the universe. In a significant move, Musk’s startup has entered into a partnership with Telegram, the Dubai-based messaging platform, agreeing to a substantial 0 million investment to launch the Grok artificial intelligence chatbot. This announcement was made by Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, who highlighted that this collaboration not only enhances Telegram’s financial standing but also promises to deliver cutting-edge AI technology to its users.
Under the terms of this partnership, Telegram will not only receive the initial payment but will also benefit from a 50% share of the revenue generated from xAI subscriptions sold through its platform. Durov expressed optimism about the venture, stating that users can expect access to top-tier AI technology by this summer. However, Musk later took to X to clarify that “no deal has been signed,” leaving some details of the arrangement shrouded in uncertainty.
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Telegram has recently surpassed a remarkable milestone, boasting over one billion monthly users as of 2025. The platform is also preparing for a significant bond issue, aiming to raise at least .5 billion, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Its popularity is particularly pronounced in regions like Russia and Ukraine, where it serves as a vital communication tool for government officials and military personnel.
However, Durov’s leadership has not been without controversy. He is currently under investigation in France for allegedly permitting various criminal activities on Telegram, including drug trafficking and fraud. Following his arrest in August, Durov has been restricted from leaving France without official permission. In response to these allegations, Telegram has asserted its commitment to complying with European Union regulations, with Durov maintaining that he has “nothing to hide.”
In a broader context, Musk’s xAI has recently merged with X, a deal that values the AI company at an impressive billion, while the social media platform is pegged at billion. Despite the promising prospects, Grok faced backlash earlier this month when it generated controversial responses related to sensitive topics, which xAI attributed to an “unauthorized modification” that breached its internal protocols. The company has since committed to enhancing Grok’s transparency and reliability, acknowledging the vulnerabilities that AI systems can face.
