TikTok’s seeking to latch onto the AI hype, with the launch of a new AI chatbot inside the app, which is at the moment being examined with customers within the Philippines.
As you may see in these photographs (posted by Watchful.ai), TikTok’s ‘Tako’ chatbot, the place out there, is accessible through the right-hand on-screen menu, which then permits customers to ask questions of the bot inside the app – much like Snapchat’s ‘My AI’ generative AI response device.
However given the early issues 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 within the early levels of exploring chatbot instruments with a restricted take a look at of Tako with choose customers within the Philippines. Tako is powered by a third-party chat assistant and is designed to assist make it simpler to find entertaining and provoking content material on TikTok. No present plans for this past these early checks, however we’re excited to listen to your suggestions!”
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 the direction of content material traits.
Which could possibly be good and unhealthy. Ideally, Tako will assist to reinforce the TikTok discovery expertise, and spotlight more and more related video clips – however on condition that TikTok’s system can already push customers in the direction of dangerous, harmful content material at occasions, there is also 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 screen within the app:
So clearly, Tako will have the ability to present extra direct solutions and responses. And given the broader questions in regards to the security of TikTok, it’ll seemingly 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 attention-grabbing addition, and it might assist you to 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 can be seeing Tako anytime quickly, but it surely might, finally, be a major step for TikTok, if it will probably get it proper.
