Perplexity AI, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company, has made an unexpected proposal to the U.S. government to replace TikTok’s search capabilities with its own AI-powered search technology. This development comes amid ongoing concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ownership and potential national security risks. Perplexity’s CEO, Aravind Srinivas, argues that their technology could provide a safer alternative to TikTok’s current search function while maintaining the platform’s popular features. The proposal suggests implementing Perplexity’s AI search engine to filter and deliver content to TikTok’s users, effectively creating a layer of U.S.-based technology oversight. The company emphasizes that this approach would address security concerns while preserving TikTok’s social media functionality. However, the proposal faces significant challenges, including technical feasibility, regulatory approval, and TikTok’s potential resistance to such modifications. The bid also highlights the growing intersection of AI technology and national security concerns in social media platforms. While Perplexity’s proposal may be considered ambitious, it represents a novel approach to addressing the ongoing debate about TikTok’s presence in the United States. The company’s initiative demonstrates how AI companies are positioning themselves to play larger roles in addressing national security concerns while potentially reshaping how social media platforms operate.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/new-bid-tiktok-perplexity-ai-give-us-government-118124151