The AI field was dull and quiet, and the buzz it created mostly happened within its own field, and rarely reach far beyond its own audience.
But when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT as a AI chatbot tool, the internet was quickly captivated. This is because the AI is able to do a wide range of tasks, including writing poetry, technical papers, novels, and essays.
Companies after companies started experimenting with generative AI chatbots of their own, and this time, it's TikTok's turn.
The popular social media announced that it's experimenting on what it calls 'Tako', an AI that can recommend videos based on what users ask of it.
In what's been circulating on the web, it is said that Tako sits above the TikTok profile icon to the right of a video.
Tapping on the 'ghost' icon will open up a chat screen, where users can ask the chatbot to answer a wide range of queries.
Tako is also able to recommend users to watch similar videos, based on what the user is watching.
The AI can also suggest prompts to help users start a conversation with it.
Initially, TikTok didn't say anything about the AI model that powers Tako. But what's certain is that, Tako is powered by a generative AI.
What this means, if TikTok ends up releasing the AI widely to all users, the chatbot has the potential to change search and navigation at TikTok.
A spokesperson for TikTok, Zachary Kizer, called the chatbot “a limited experiment” and said that it isn't initially available to all users.
In a tweet, the company said that the test is only in the Philippines.
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
"We’re always exploring new technologies that add value to our community," he said in an emailed statement. "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."
"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," the firm said.
"No current plans for this beyond these early tests, but we’re excited to hear your feedback!"
The rumor about TikTok in entering the generative AI hype, started when TikTok was found filing a trademark application for “chatbot software” called Tako, which suggests the company is gearing up the AI for a wider release.
Before this, competitor Snap opened its AI-powered chatbot called My AI to all Snapchat users in April after having introduced it as a premium service for paid subscribers in February.