AI Startup Perplexity Confirms Bid to Buy TikTok, Offers Bold New Vision

In a bold move that could reshape the future of TikTok, artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity has confirmed its interest in acquiring the popular video-sharing app.

This announcement comes amid growing pressure on TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a potential ban in the United States.

Perplexity, based in San Francisco, sees the acquisition as an opportunity to revolutionize TikTok by integrating its cutting-edge AI-powered search tools.

In a blog post, the company outlined its vision of combining its advanced answer engine with TikTok’s vast library of videos.

According to Perplexity, this merger would offer the best search experience in the world, leveraging AI to allow users to cross-check the veracity of the videos they watch, a feature not currently available on the app.

“Combining Perplexity’s answer engine with TikTok’s extensive video library would allow us to build the best search experience in the world,” the post stated.

The startup also emphasized that it is uniquely positioned to rebuild TikTok’s algorithm while maintaining “Little Tech independence,” meaning it could avoid creating a monopoly in the digital space.

The U.S. government has given TikTok an ultimatum: either divest from ByteDance or be banned due to concerns over national security.

There is growing anxiety that the Chinese government could exploit the app to spy on American users or subtly influence U.S. public opinion.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump revealed that talks were underway with four potential buyers for TikTok, although he did not disclose their identities.

One of the key competitors for the app includes “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” an initiative led by sports and real estate tycoon Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty, as well as major companies like Microsoft and Oracle.

Internet personality MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is also part of a consortium vying for TikTok.

Perplexity, however, believes that any purchase by another group could allow ByteDance to retain control of TikTok’s algorithm, which could potentially stifle competition.

The AI startup argued that its vision would keep the app free from manipulation by foreign governments or global monopolies, and promised to rebuild TikTok’s algorithm “from the ground up” to make its “For You” feed open-source.

In its proposal, Perplexity outlined plans to store and manage TikTok’s data within U.S. borders, ensuring oversight and transparency.

The startup also pledged to implement robust infrastructure to support TikTok’s operations, contributing to the app’s growth and development under U.S. regulation.

As Perplexity makes its case to acquire TikTok, the app’s future remains uncertain.

However, this new proposal adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about the app’s ownership and potential regulation in the U.S.