TikTok tests an in-app AI bot called Tako

What if you could talk directly to your TikTok feed?

TikTok confirmed it is testing a new in-app AI chatbot called Tako. First spotted by app intelligence firm Watchful.ai on iOS devices, the feature is currently in limited testing in select global markets, including an early pilot in the Philippines. TikTok noted the tool is not currently public in the U.S. and will not appear on accounts belonging to minors.

A chatbot pinned to your feed

In the test version, Tako sits on the right-hand navigation rail of the TikTok interface, right above the creator profile icon and beside the usual like, comment, and bookmark buttons. Tapping the ghost-like icon launches a chat screen where users can ask questions using plain language.

Tako handles two main jobs. First, it offers context for whatever you are watching. If you come across a clip of King Charles III’s coronation, Tako might suggest asking about the historic significance of the event.

Second, it doubles as a conversational discovery engine. Tell Tako you want funny pet clips, and it serves up a curated list of recommendations featuring video titles, creator names, subjects, and clickable thumbnails that take you straight to the clip.

Under the hood, TikTok is not using proprietary AI models from parent company ByteDance. Instead, it customized technology from an unnamed third-party AI provider.

When opening Tako for the first time, users see a disclaimer warning that the bot is experimental and should not be relied upon for medical, legal, or financial advice. TikTok also notes that chats are reviewed for safety and product improvement, though users do have the option to manually delete their conversation history, similar to Snap’s My AI.

Why it matters

We think putting a chatbot right inside the video feed is a remarkably clever way to rethink search.

For users, it turns TikTok from a passive doomscrolling habit into an interactive search engine. Instead of typing fragmented keywords into a search bar, you can simply ask for what you want in natural language. That said, with human reviewers checking transcripts and uncertain long-term data retention policies, users should treat it as an experimental toy rather than a place to share private details.

For the broader industry, this is bad news for Google. Google executives have already acknowledged that Gen Z increasingly starts searches on TikTok and Instagram rather than traditional web engines. If TikTok seamlessly pairs conversational answers with short-form video discovery, younger demographics will have even less reason to ever open Google Search.

The real vulnerability lies in regulatory scrutiny. TikTok is already under an intense political microscope regarding data privacy and security. Introducing an AI assistant that logs conversations—powered by an undisclosed third party—could easily hand critics fresh ammunition if safety and retention limits are not airtight.