TikTok Explores AI Chatbot "Tako" for Enhanced User Experience
AI chatbots have gained immense popularity, with the launch of ChatGPT and Google’s Bard and now TikTok is jumping on the bandwagon with its own AI chatbot called "Tako." Currently undergoing limited testing in select markets, Tako appears on the right-hand side of the TikTok interface, positioned above the user's profile and other interactive buttons. Users can engage with Tako by tapping on it and asking questions about videos using natural language queries or seeking recommendations for new content.
Image Credits: TikTok screenshots by Watchful.ai
For instance, while watching a video of King Charles' coronation, Tako may suggest asking, "What is the significance of King Charles III's coronation?" Similarly, if users are looking for videos on a specific topic, like funny pet videos, they can request Tako to provide recommendations. In response, Tako generates a list of results containing video names, authors, subjects, and links. By clicking on a thumbnail, users can seamlessly access the desired content.
App intelligence firm Watchful.ai uncovered Tako during public testing, which TikTok has confirmed in a recent Tweet.
As per an official Tweet by TikTok,
“1/ We're in the early stages of exploring chatbot tools with a limited test of Tako with select users in the Philippines. Tako is an AI-powered tool to help with search and discovery on TikTok. 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!”
It's important to note that Tako will not appear on minors' accounts, prioritising their safety. TikTok has partnered with an undisclosed third-party AI provider and customised its services to cater to TikTok's specific requirements. It's worth mentioning that TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have not employed any in-house AI technologies for this particular bot.
Upon the initial launch, TikTok presents a pop-up message advising users that Tako is considered "experimental," and its feedback "may not be true or accurate." This disclaimer is applicable to all modern AI chatbots, including OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's AI. TikTok also emphasises that the chatbot should not be relied upon for medical, legal, or financial advice. However, the wording in the provided image below may represent an earlier version of the bot rather than the current tests.
Image Credits: TikTok screenshot by Watchful.ai
To ensure user safety, all Tako conversations undergo review, with a focus on enhancing user experience and maintaining a safe environment. This aspect presents a challenge with modern AI chatbots. As the technology is relatively new, companies choose to log and review customer interactions to improve their bots. However, from a privacy standpoint, this practice means that AI conversations are not deleted once the chats end, potentially posing risks.
To address privacy concerns, some companies allow users to manually delete their chats, as seen with Snap's My AI chatbot companion in the Snapchat app. TikTok follows a similar approach, granting users the ability to delete their chats.
The extent to which the AI chatbot logs data related to users' personal information, including names, and its long-term data retention policies remain unclear at this time.
Due to security risks associated with AI chatbots, some companies have imposed bans on their use in the workplace. Apple, for example, restricts employees from utilising tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft-owned GitHub's Copilot to prevent the potential leakage of confidential data. Other companies that have recently implemented similar bans include Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Walmart, Samsung, and Verizon. The activities of local New Zealand companies remain uncertain, but it is likely, investigations are underway, and precautionary measures have probably been implemented as part of their risk management strategy.
The question arises as to why consumers would desire an AI chatbot within TikTok. While most companies are exploring AI in various capacities, TikTok believes that the chatbot could offer more than just video-related answers—it could serve as an alternative method for users to discover content within the app, bypassing traditional search methods.
This development could pose a potential threat to Google if TikTok's tests prove successful and the chatbot is publicly rolled out. Google has already acknowledged that Gen Z is turning to TikTok and Instagram as their primary platforms for searching specific subjects. Although Google plans to introduce a conversational search experience, an in-app AI chatbot on TikTok may entice younger users to bypass Google entirely.