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Perplexity AI Outlines Vision for TikTok Amid Acquisition Bid
With the potential for a TikTok ban on the horizon earlier this year, Perplexity AI emerged as a contender aiming to take control of the beleaguered social media platform. The company has now shared its vision for TikTok should its acquisition bid be successful.
In a detailed blog post, Perplexity laid out an expansive plan for “rebuilding TikTok in America.” This initiative would focus on overhauling the app’s core recommendation algorithm, incorporating a Community Notes feature, and integrating short-form videos into their search engine framework.
Despite several interested buyers, the seriousness of Perplexity’s bid remains uncertain. Recently, the Financial Times reported that current U.S. investors in ByteDance are considering a partnership with Oracle to navigate regulatory pressures from the Trump administration. The report indicated that ByteDance appears to favor this alliance.
Nevertheless, Perplexity is contending that it holds a unique advantage to manage the platform effectively.
The company positions itself as an ideal candidate to revamp TikTok’s algorithm without fostering a monopoly. Combining cutting-edge technical expertise with an emphasis on independent operation, Perplexity argues that a consortium of investors might inadvertently maintain ByteDance’s influence over the algorithm, while a rival acquisition could potentially dominate the short-form video and information market. The company advocates for content feeds free from the influence of foreign governments and monopolistic entities.
Perplexity also intends to completely reconstruct TikTok’s opaque recommendation system, proposing that the “For You” algorithm be made open source. Additionally, they plan to integrate “Community Notes” and citation features similar to those utilized in their own search technology, aiming to transform TikTok into a “neutral and trusted platform.” This strategy marks a shift from TikTok’s existing fact-checking policies, which often rely on international media organizations.
This announcement notably represents the first comprehensive glimpse into Perplexity’s strategic vision for TikTok. Some aspects of their proposal, such as the idea of open-sourcing the “For You” feed and implementing Community Notes, resemble approaches championed by Elon Musk for X. As the deadline approaches, the White House is expected to reach a resolution regarding TikTok’s fate. An executive order from Trump that temporarily spared the app from a ban is set to expire on April 5, although indications suggest that he may “probably” extend it if necessary.
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www.engadget.com