Telegram has announced a strategic partnership with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, to distribute its AI chatbot Grok to the platform’s global user base of over one billion people.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov confirmed the agreement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, stating that the deal includes a $300 million package in cash and equity for Telegram from xAI. Additionally, Telegram will receive 50% of all revenue generated from xAI subscriptions that are sold through the Telegram app.

Grok, xAI’s flagship chatbot, has been designed to offer real-time information, engage in nuanced conversation, and answer questions with personality—often marked by a sharp or even humorous tone.

The chatbot was initially launched within Musk-owned X as a response to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and quickly gained traction among tech-savvy users. The move to Telegram significantly expands Grok’s reach beyond the X platform and into mainstream global markets, especially in regions where Telegram dominates.

Industry analysts see the partnership as a strategic win for both companies. Telegram gains a powerful AI tool without the immediate need to develop its own large language model infrastructure, while xAI secures a major distribution channel and direct access to a massive international user base.

The deal also reflects a shift in monetization strategy for Telegram, which has long operated without ads and relies on premium subscriptions and investor support. With xAI subscriptions now available natively through the app, Telegram is tapping into the growing consumer demand for AI-powered tools, potentially opening new revenue streams.

While specific integration details were not disclosed, it is expected that Grok will soon be accessible across Telegram chats and channels, offering personalized assistance, real-time search capabilities, and conversational features. This may include integrations for groups, bots, and even Telegram’s business-facing tools.