TikTok’s Testing a New ‘Tako’ AI Chatbot Experience In the App

TikTok’s trying to latch onto the AI hype, with the launch of a new AI chatbot within the app, which is at present being examined with customers within the Philippines.

As you possibly can see in these photos (posted by Watchful.ai), TikTok’s ‘Tako’ chatbot, the place obtainable, is accessible through the right-hand on-screen menu, which then allows customers to ask questions of the bot inside the app – just like Snapchat’s ‘My AI’ generative AI response tool.

However given the early problems with My AI, in addition to different generative AI instruments, TikTok’s taking a cautious method to the rollout, with restricted testing at this stage.

As per TikTok:

“We’re in the early stages of exploring chatbot tools with a limited test of Tako with select users in the Philippines. Tako is powered by a third-party chat assistant and is designed to help make it easier to discover entertaining and inspiring content on TikTok. No current plans for this beyond these early tests, but we’re excited to hear your feedback!”

So the purpose of Tako is theoretically much less about offering solutions to all queries, and extra about serving to customers discover related TikTok content material matches for his or her questions. But it surely might additionally present direct solutions about sure components of video clips, and information customers in direction of content material traits.

Which could possibly be good and unhealthy. Ideally, Tako will assist to boost the TikTok discovery expertise, and spotlight more and more related video clips – however provided that TikTok’s system can already push users towards harmful, dangerous content at instances, there may be some inherent dangers in leaving such to an AI bot.

Which is why TikTok’s not planning to launch Tako to youthful customers in any respect, whereas there’s additionally this warning display within the app:

So clearly, Tako will be capable to present extra direct solutions and responses. And given the broader questions in regards to the security of TikTok, it’ll possible be hesitant to provoke a full launch of the performance until it may be assured that the dangers on this entrance are restricted.

But it surely could possibly be an fascinating addition, and it might assist you uncover extra inside the app, whereas additionally leaning into the generative AI development.

With TikTok beneath scrutiny within the US, which might nonetheless result in ban on the app, I doubt US customers will probably be seeing Tako anytime quickly, nevertheless it might, finally, be a big step for TikTok, if it could possibly get it proper.