Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok as the short-video platform faces a looming deadline to sever ties with its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the United States.
In a blog post, Perplexity outlined its vision to integrate its AI-powered search capabilities with TikTok’s vast video library. “Combining Perplexity’s answer engine with TikTok’s extensive video collection would allow us to create the world’s best search experience,” the company wrote in the post, published Monday (March 24, 2025).
AI-powered search engines have been gaining momentum in recent months, with Perplexity AI emerging as one of the most prominent players in the field. The startup has attracted significant backing from major tech powerhouses, including Nvidia, SoftBank, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
In December 2024, Perplexity secured $500 million in funding, bringing its valuation to $9 billion, underscoring its growing potential in AI-driven search technology. The company stated that the fresh capital would be used to accelerate development and expansion, with a strong focus on improving AI-powered search experiences for users.
Perplexity to Acquire TikTok
Regarding its interest in TikTok, Perplexity asserted that it is uniquely positioned to rebuild the app’s algorithm without creating a monopoly, combining world-class technical expertise with the independence of a “Little Tech” firm.
The AI startup also proposed hosting TikTok’s infrastructure in U.S. data centers under American oversight. Additionally, Perplexity pledged to rebuild TikTok’s signature “For You” recommendation feed from the ground up and make it open-source, aiming for greater transparency.
Perplexity also vowed to allow TikTok users to cross-reference information as they watch videos, enabling fact-checking within the platform.
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TikTok’s future in the U.S. hinges on a plan that would require it to separate its American operations and reduce Chinese ownership below the 20% threshold mandated by U.S. law.
Former President Donald Trump previously stated that the U.S. government is in talks with four groups interested in acquiring TikTok. However, the video-sharing app continues to face an uncertain future as legal and political battles over its ownership unfold.
(Raidi/Agung)
