TikTok is testing a artificial intelligence chatbot called So who can recommend videos based on what people ask him. If he were to ever come true, Tako would radically change the way research is done.
Tako, let’s test TikTok’s AI chatbot
It appears that the option to interact with Tako is on the top right of the video. Tapping it opens a screen of chat, where the bot appears to be able to answer various types of questions. It’s unclear what AI model TikTok is using to make Tako.
Tako may be solicited by the user, who is looking for suggestions related to various topics. For example, if you watch food videos and ask Tako for advice on a recipe, the chatbot will send related TikTok videos for that recipe. Or, if you say you want to visit art exhibitions in Paris, it will show videos along with a list of suggestions related to exhibitions in Paris.
A TikTok spokesperson, Zachary Kizer, called the chatbot “a limited experiment” and told The Verge that it’s not currently available to users in North America or Europe. In a tweet, the company said that the test was only started in the Philippines.
“We are 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 look forward to learning from our community as we continue to create a safe place that entertains, inspires creativity, and fosters culture.”