HONG KONG, May 25 (Reuters) – Social media platform TikTok said Thursday that it is in early stages of research into a chatbot called “Tako” that could converse with users over short videos and help them discover content, with a handpicked selection. announced that it is conducting tests on Philippines users.
Backed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), OpenAI last year launched ChatGPT, a chatbot that offers perhaps the most natural interaction yet. Triggered by this, TikTok’s rival Snap (SNAP.N)’s “My AI” is equipped with ChatGPT technology, and the competition to develop functions based on innovative generative artificial intelligence (AI) has begun. rice field.
TikTok said Tako was designed to help users discover “interesting and exciting content” on the app.
Earlier, Israel-based app intelligence firm Watchful Technologies said it had spotted an octopus in some versions of the TikTok app on Apple’s (AAPL.O) mobile devices.
Screenshots and video shared by Watchful with Reuters show the chatbot prominently displayed on TikTok’s interface as a ghost-shaped icon that users can tap while watching a video to send text messages. It has been shown to be able to have base conversations and help find content.
In April, US media reported that TikTok was experimenting with a generative AI tool that would allow users to create avatars. China-based parent company ByteDance is working on a large-scale AI model, Chinese media reported, but the company currently does not offer AI chatbot functionality in its Chinese equivalent of TikTok, Douyin.
A disclosure filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last month showed that TikTok had filed a trademark application for “TikTok Tako” in categories such as “computer software for artificially generating human speech and text.” It was revealed.
Asked about Tako, a TikTok spokesperson said the social media platform is always exploring new technologies.
“We are testing new ways to power search and discovery on TikTok in select markets. We are,” the spokesperson said. .
The company did not disclose why it chose the Philippines.
Video recommendation
Observant researcher Daniel Buchuk said his team began finding references to Tako in some versions of the TikTok app earlier this month, including a test version on US iOS devices.
Watchful uses computer vision and data analytics to identify and emulate app changes. It monitors devices in various countries, but was unable to identify which markets TikTok is testing in.
Unlike ChatGPT, which is positioned as a multi-purpose chatbot, Tako is more of a navigational assistant focused on encouraging users to watch more videos, Bucuk said.
“So if you ask, ‘When was King Charles’ coronation?’
In another demonstration by Watchful, users ask Tako questions like “How do I teach my kids respect?” and the chatbot summarizes tips from TikTok users and recommends related videos. It was shown to respond in the form
TikTok has a disclaimer stating that Tako is an experimental chatbot and responses may be inaccurate. It said it was reviewing conversations with Octopus for safety reasons and warned users not to share personal information with Octopus.
Reporting by Josh Ye from Hong Kong and Yana Gaur from Bangalore.Editing: Brenda Goh, Christopher Cushing, Nick McPhee
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
