Popular social media platform, which is known for its short-form videos, TikTok, is joining in on the AI chatbot trend with the introduction of its latest creation “Tako”, which users may use to help them discover new content based on their preferences. It is now being tested in a small number of markets.
Tako, which appears on the right side of the TikTok screen above the user’s profile and other buttons, provides an easy way to interact with the app. Using natural language inquiries, users may ask Tako questions or get suggestions.
For example, if a user is looking for entertaining videos, they may just ask Tako to recommend some. Tako responds by providing a list of videos relating to the desired topic, including with information such as the video’s name, creator, subject, and links to related content.
TikTok’s Twitter feed also released details regarding Tako. We’ve included further information when relevant.
2/ 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!
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) May 25, 2023
Tako was created by TikTok as part of their dedication to innovation and enhancing the community. TikTok aspires to provide a secure and fun environment that encourages creativity and cultural involvement by experimenting with emerging technologies like AI chatbots.
TikTok notifies users in a pop-up message that Tako is still “experimental” and that its input “may not be true or accurate” – a disclaimer that applies to many recent AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s AI.
Additionally, TikTok stresses that users should not rely on the chatbot for financial, legal, or medical advice.
TikTok explores all Tako chats to guarantee user safety and enhance the chatbot’s functionality. However, because user interactions are collected and archived, this technique poses privacy issues. While TikTok users have the ability to delete their chats, it is unclear whether personal information or data retention policies are involved.
Tako’s testing phase has already attracted the interest of app intelligence company Watchful.ai, which discovered the chatbot while testing on iOS devices in the United States. Although TikTok states that Tako is not yet available to the general public in the United States, it is being tested in other worldwide countries, including the Philippines.
Source: techcrunch, gizmochina
