TikTok, the popular social media platform, is currently conducting tests on an innovative AI chatbot named Tako, which has the potential to transform the way users search and navigate within the app. Screenshots of the feature, shared with The Verge, reveal that Tako can recommend videos based on user inquiries.
According to Daniel Buchuk from Watchful Technologies, a firm specializing in identifying upcoming app changes for Fortune 500 companies, if TikTok decides to release Tako on a wider scale, it could “radically change search and navigation” within the platform. The precise AI model employed by TikTok to power Tako remains undisclosed.
In the shared screenshots, Tako is positioned above the TikTok profile icon, adjacent to a video. Tapping on Tako opens a chat interface, where the bot appears capable of providing answers to a broad range of queries. The extent of Tako’s capabilities and its proficiency in understanding user intent are yet to be fully revealed.
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Tako is designed to offer suggested prompts that aid users in initiating conversations with the chatbot. Buchuk explains that when watching food videos and requesting a recipe, Tako will present related TikTok videos alongside a list of suggestions in response. Another screenshot displays a Tako-suggested prompt asking about the significance of King Charles III’s coronation.
Zachary Kizer, a spokesperson for TikTok, emphasized that the chatbot is currently in the early stages as a “limited experiment” and is not accessible to users in North America or Europe. The test is exclusively being conducted in the Philippines, according to a tweet from the company.
Kizer further added, “We’re always exploring new technologies that add value to our community. In select markets, we’re testing new ways to power search and discovery on TikTok, and we look forward to learning from our community as we continue to create a safe place that entertains, inspires creativity, and drives culture.”
Notably, TikTok recently filed a trademark application for “chatbot software” under the name Tako, suggesting that the company is preparing for a broader release of the AI chatbot. TikTok follows in the footsteps of other social media platforms, such as Snapchat, which made its My AI bot freely available to all users in April. Mark Zuckerberg has also expressed his intent to introduce AI agents to billions of people, showcasing the growing trend of chatbot integration in social media.
The potential introduction of Tako as a widely accessible AI chatbot on TikTok signifies the platform’s dedication to enhancing user experiences through advanced technologies. As the testing phase continues, users eagerly await the arrival of this innovative feature, which holds the promise of transforming the way they interact with TikTok’s vast content library.