With the TikTok ban looming in the United States, Perplexity AI is the latest bidder hoping to give the video app a new corporate home.
CNBC First Perplexity expressed interest.. Perplexity (the aforementioned CEO Aravind Srinivas) has submitted a bid to merge with TikTok US, a source with knowledge of the offer confirmed to TechCrunch.
Perplexity, The source also confirmed other details about the bid, which would create a new entity combining TikTok US and new equity partners. Most investors in TikTok's parent company ByteDance will retain their shares. By combining this, Perplexity hopes to bring more videos to its AI search engine.
The law, which requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or have it banned in the US, takes effect on Sunday, January 19. It's President Joe Biden's last day, according to his administration officials. This leaves the actual implementation of the ban. “Another administration”
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Monday, has said he will. “Maybe” gives TikTok a 90-day extension.and CEO of TikTok. He posted a video thanking Trump. for his efforts.
But without concrete guarantees that the Biden administration has enacted, TikTok “It will be dark.” on Sunday.
While there are many buyers interested in TikTok, ByteDance has repeatedly said it does not intend to sell. (The company stated in the report. The Chinese government is open to a buyout of Elon Musk. As a “genuine novel”), CNBC reports that Perplexity hopes to overcome those reservations by proposing a merger rather than a sale.
TechCrunch has reached out to TikTok and Perplexity AI for comment.