TikTok integrates artificial intelligence into its platform

For the past few days, a ChatBot powered by artificial intelligence has been tested by TikTok in the Philippines.

Following Snapchat's launch of My AI, TikTok is now launching a similar chatbot, called Tako, which can be accessed via the TikTok menu on the right-hand side of your screen. For the moment, these are just tests, and there's no guarantee that TikTok will actually launch this little artificial intelligence tool.

TikTok explains:

"We are in the early stages of exploring chatbot tools with a limited test of Tako with selected users in the Philippines. Tako is powered by a third-party chat assistant and is designed to facilitate the discovery of entertaining and inspiring content on TikTok. We have no plans at the moment beyond these initial tests, but we look forward to hearing your feedback!"

Tako, for what use?

Tako is programmed to redirect you directly to the page or option you request. Unlike Chat GPT, Tako's aim is not to answer all users' questions, but to direct them to the desired pages.

Tako, deployed worldwide?

Interesting though it is, it's clear that there's no question of the TikTok giant implementing Tako in every country in the world. For the time being, the application remains in the crosshairs of not only the United States, but also certain European countries, such as Italy, which has just banned its use. Thanks to TikTok's algorithmic power, Tako could send users to content that is harmful to them.

A dangerous trend has recently emerged on the social network. In short videos, young women film themselves injecting Ozempic, a drug normally prescribed to diabetics to regulate insulin levels in the blood. One of the side effects of Ozempic is rapid weight loss, something sought after by these young women in search of a quick slimming method. The TikTok community is predominantly made up of young and very young people. With this kind of trend, Tako's power to harm makes perfect sense. All a teenager would have to do is ask the chatbot for a way to slim down quickly, and Tako would be able to suggest videos with definite detrimental effects.

Tiktok, well aware of its power of influence, warned that Tako would not be available to its young users.

Tako, when's it coming out?

For the moment, the chatbot is only in the test phase, and we have no information about its deployment in France. To be continued.

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