Telegram to get Grok AI chatbot? CEO Durov says yes, Elon Musk says not yet

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

In an exciting announcement, Telegram founder Pavel Durov revealed that the messaging app is gearing up to integrate AI chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, into its platform this summer. The plan, if finalized, could bring Grok to over a billion Telegram users worldwide.

“This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market,” Durov posted on X (formerly Twitter). He added that the partnership with xAI would not only enhance user experience but also boost Telegram’s finances, saying, “We will receive $300M in cash and equity from xAI, plus 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold via Telegram.”

But shortly after, Elon Musk poured a little cold water on the excitement. He responded with a short tweet: “No deal has been signed.”

Durov quickly acknowledged the clarification, replying, “True. Agreed in principle, but formalities are pending.”

While the partnership is not official yet, the vision seems clear. Grok, known for its snarky tone and real-time responses, could soon be accessible directly within Telegram chats, groups, and possibly even channels. This would mark a big step forward in making AI more interactive and widely available.

Durov also took the opportunity to address privacy concerns. “User privacy is paramount,” he wrote. “To be clear, xAI will only access data that Telegram users explicitly share with Grok through direct interactions.”

So, while nothing is on paper just yet, both tech titans seem interested in joining forces. If the deal goes through, Telegram could become one of the largest platforms to integrate Grok and reshape how billions of people chat with AI.