San Francisco-based AI developer Perplexity AI was once more making the case for taking on TikTok’s embattled social media platform amid studies that it had began talks to lift cash at a possible $18 billion valuation.
In a weblog submit printed on Friday, Perplexity claimed it’s the only option for an American firm to take over TikTok earlier than a U.S. presidential order banning the Chinese language firm is anticipated to take impact on April 5.
“Perplexity is singularly positioned to rebuild the TikTok algorithm with out making a monopoly, combining world-class technical capabilities with Little Tech independence,” Perplexity AI wrote.
Perplexity AI, launched in 2022, is an AI-powered search engine that delivers real-time, cited solutions by way of a conversational interface. It combines giant language fashions with reside net knowledge for accuracy and transparency.
“We wish to talk clearly to the tip person that we’re not right here to promote you one other chatbot and various to ChatGPT,” Perplexity co-founder and CEO Aravind Srinivas beforehand instructed Decrypt. “We’re right here to assist discover solutions to any query, and that is why we name [Perplexity] a solution engine.”
On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed an govt order delaying for 75 days the enforcement of the Defending Individuals from International Adversary Managed Functions Act, which might successfully ban TikTok in america. This delay allowed time to evaluate nationwide safety issues whereas stopping an abrupt shutdown of the platform utilized by tens of millions of Individuals, and offering a chance for an American purchaser to take over TikTok.
Perplexity joins a bunch of American corporations—together with Oracle, Microsoft, and Walmart—which have beforehand expressed curiosity in buying TikTok. Others eyeing a purchase order of TikTok embrace consortiums headed by Frank McCourt, the previous proprietor of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Roblox CEO Jesse Tinsley. At one level, X proprietor Elon Musk was rumored to be desirous about buying TikTok.
“Any acquisition by a consortium of buyers may in impact hold ByteDance accountable for the algorithm, whereas any acquisition by a competitor would probably create a monopoly within the quick kind video and data area,” Perplexity wrote. “All of society advantages when content material feeds are liberated from the manipulations of international governments and globalist monopolists.”
Whereas it makes its case for taking on TikTok, Perplexity AI is eyeing a brand new funding spherical after valuing the corporate at $18 billion, in response to a report by Bloomberg. Citing individuals accustomed to the matter, Bloomberg reported that the funding spherical would vary from $500 million to $1 billion.
The valuation and information of the upcoming funding spherical come as Perplexity broadens its choices past search to incorporate AI-driven instruments that assist customers discover solutions extra effectively. In February, Perplexity introduced the waitlist for a brand new Comet browser that leverages AI brokers for what the corporate referred to as “Agentic Search.”
Subsequent week, we are going to begin giving entry to a small set of preliminary customers. We are attempting our greatest to get it out in just a few weeks. https://t.co/7MkZZ4aa88
— Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) March 21, 2025
Utilizing its AI, powered by Nvidia’s new Dynamo platform, Perplexity stated it may increase TikTok’s suggestion system whereas enhancing transparency amid rising issues over misinformation.
“A TikTok rebuilt and powered by Perplexity would create the world’s biggest platform for creativity and information discovery,” they stated.
Decrypt reached out to Perplexity for remark.
Edited by James Rubin
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