TikTok CEO Shou Chew on Its Future — and What Makes Its Algorithm Different | Live at TED2023

TED・2 minutes read

Shou Chew achieved bipartisan support for TikTok, focusing on creativity, discovery, and community while implementing safety measures and content moderation to ensure a positive user experience. TikTok aims to empower creators, connect communities, and enhance economic opportunities globally through innovative content creation and fostering collaboration between people and AI.

Insights

  • TikTok's mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy to users, utilizing a unique discovery engine that allows talented individuals to be easily discovered, fostering a platform where anyone with talent can be recognized regardless of prior fame.
  • Safety and responsible usage are paramount for TikTok, with strict content vetting, age verification, screen time limits, and proactive measures to ensure a safe platform, demonstrating a commitment to user well-being and a healthy relationship with the platform.

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Recent questions

  • What is TikTok's main mission and purpose?

    TikTok's main mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy to its users. The platform aims to provide a space where talented individuals can easily be discovered and showcase their creativity through short videos optimized for smartphones. TikTok's unique discovery engine allows for a diverse range of content beyond dancing and singing, promoting community connections and fostering creativity among its users.

  • How does TikTok's recommendation algorithm work?

    TikTok's recommendation algorithm is based on math and pattern recognition to recognize people's interests and promote virality. The algorithm focuses on user-generated content that resonates with people, rather than engineered or pushed content. By prioritizing content that users engage with and find interesting, TikTok aims to provide a personalized and engaging experience for its users, helping talented individuals gain visibility on the platform.

  • What measures does TikTok take to ensure user safety?

    Safety is a top priority for TikTok, especially for teenagers, to ensure a safe platform for all users. The platform prohibits dangerous challenges and has proactive measures in place to identify and remove harmful content, redirecting users to safety resources when necessary. TikTok also actively limits screen time, with default limits for users under 18 and tools for parents to monitor and control their children's usage. Additionally, TikTok sends notifications to users to take breaks and encourages healthy screen habits to promote a positive and safe user experience.

  • How does TikTok handle content moderation?

    TikTok has tens of thousands of employees dedicated to content moderation, based in Ireland, who combine machine and human efforts to ensure a safe and positive environment on the platform. The company actively moderates content to prevent explicit material and restrict features for users under 18. TikTok also relies on community guidelines to prohibit explicit content and enforce strict content vetting, especially for users under 13 in the US and under 14 in China. By prioritizing safety and content moderation, TikTok aims to provide a platform where users can express themselves creatively while maintaining a safe and respectful community.

  • What is TikTok's approach to data protection and transparency?

    TikTok is committed to protecting user data and ensuring transparency in its operations. Project Texas involves moving American data to Oracle in the US to enhance data protection and transparency. The company aims to prevent government manipulation, maintain freedom of expression, and provide transparency through third-party monitoring. By prioritizing data protection and transparency, TikTok aims to minimize risks and ensure a secure platform for its users.

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Summary

00:00

TikTok: Inspiring Creativity and Connecting People

  • Shou Chew achieved a bipartisan consensus in US politics regarding TikTok.
  • Shou Chew, from Singapore, was involved in the early stages of TikTok's development.
  • TikTok's mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy to users.
  • TikTok's unique discovery engine allows talented individuals to be easily discovered.
  • The biggest TikTok creator, Khaby, gained 160 million followers through talent and creativity.
  • TikTok's recommendation algorithm is based on math and pattern recognition.
  • TikTok's format optimized for smartphones and short videos contributed to its popularity.
  • TikTok has connected people and helped small businesses thrive through content creation.
  • TikTok provides a platform for anyone with talent to be discovered, regardless of prior fame.
  • TikTok's algorithm focuses on recognizing people's interests to promote virality.

12:38

TikTok promotes healthy screen time habits.

  • User-generated content needs to resonate with people to go viral, not engineered or pushed.
  • TikTok's algorithms are sophisticated, but the company's mission and vision set it apart.
  • TikTok aims for a diverse content experience to avoid filter bubbles and bad actors.
  • Community guidelines on TikTok prohibit explicit content and restrict features for users under 18.
  • Age verification on TikTok relies on age gating and public profile checks.
  • TikTok actively limits screen time, with default limits for users under 18 and tools for parents.
  • The recommended screen time limit for teenagers on TikTok is 60 minutes, advised by experts.
  • TikTok sends notifications to users to take breaks and encourages healthy screen habits.
  • TikTok's goal is a healthy relationship with the platform, not maximizing time spent.
  • TikTok's under-13 experience in the US is more restricted than the under-14 experience in China, with strict content vetting.

25:33

TikTok Ensures Safety, Innovation, and Global Expansion

  • Safety is a top priority for TikTok, especially for teenagers, to ensure a safe platform for all users.
  • Dangerous challenges are prohibited on TikTok, with proactive measures to identify and remove them, redirecting users to safety resources.
  • Tens of thousands of employees, based in Ireland, are dedicated to content moderation, combining machine and human efforts.
  • Project Texas involves moving American data to Oracle in the US, ensuring data protection and transparency.
  • TikTok aims to maintain freedom of expression, prevent government manipulation, and provide transparency through third-party monitoring.
  • TikTok is committed to preventing any potential interference in elections, with tools and transparency to minimize risks.
  • TikTok's vision includes promoting discovery, creativity, and community connections, showcasing diverse content beyond dancing and singing.
  • AI-generated content will enhance creativity, fostering collaboration between people and AI for more innovative content creation.
  • TikTok serves as a platform for businesses, with millions benefiting in the US, aiming to expand globally for more economic opportunities.
  • TikTok's CEO envisions a future where the platform continues to empower creators, foster creativity, and connect communities worldwide.

38:32

Shou Chew and Chris Make Viral TikTok

  • Shou Chew and Chris engage in making a TikTok video together at a TED event, exchanging greetings and expressing hope for the video to go viral, highlighting Shou Chew's influence and thanking him for sharing his vision.
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