Perplexity AI wants to join TikTok in the US, a source told Reuters

(Reuters) – US search engine startup Perplexity AI submitted an application on Saturday to TikTok’s Chinese parent ByteDance for Perplexity to join TikTok in the US, a source familiar with the company’s plans told Reuters.

TikTok faces a US ban starting Sunday if it doesn’t cut ties with ByteDance, even though President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he could give the short-form video social media platform a 90-day reprieve. Monday.

CNBC reported the first proposal.

Desperation would merge with TikTok US and create a new entity by merging the joint company with New. Capital Partners (WA :), the person said.

The new structure proposed by Perplexity will allow most of ByteDance’s existing investors to keep their equity stakes and will bring more video to Perplexity, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. .

TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment. New Capital Partners could not immediately be reached.

Perplexity AI believes its proposal can be successful because the proposal is about integration and not sales, the person said.

Perplexity AI search tools help users find quick answers to questions, through sources and texts. It is powered by a wide range of languages ​​that can generalize and present information, from OpenAI to Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:)’ Llama’s open source model.

TikTok, which has captured almost half of all Americans, has boosted small businesses and online culture, said on Friday that it will go dark in the US on Sunday unless the administration of President Joe Biden gives a guarantee to companies such as Apple (NASDAQ:) and Google (NASDAQ:) that they will not face enforcement actions when the ban begins.