Tech Desk 
Mar 23, 2025
An undated image displaying TikTok in mobile screen. — Pexels
As the global competition of artificial intelligence (AI) intensifies, a surprising development has unfolded, bringing into limelight another tech giant willing to acquire TikTok.
It emerged on Saturday that renowned AI startup Perplexity is willing to buy TikTok US and tweak its algorithm. The development comes as the short-form video platform is reapproaching the ban whose deadline was extended by US President Donald Trump by 75 days a day after it took effect on January 19.
On the condition of failing to find an owner other than ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, the video app will face a ban in the country.
In a blog post, Perplexity expressed its intentions for taking over the widely acclaimed Chinese social media platform and integrating integrating the AI-powered internet search capabilities inherent in its proprietary AI model.
"Combining Perplexity’s answer engine with TikTok’s extensive video library would allow us to build the best search experience in the world," wrote Perplexity in the blog post, adding: "Perplexity is uniquely positioned to rebuild the TikTok algorithm without creating a monopoly, combining world-class technical capabilities with Little Tech independence."
The development surrounding TikTok acquisition comes on the heels of the US president announcing earlier this month that the country was in talks with four groups interested in buying TikTok.
It's worth noting that a law, enacted on national security grounds, requires TikTok to divest from ByteDance or be banned in the US.
