AI startup Perplexity has expressed its interest in acquiring TikTok, which is under the hot waters to step away from its Chinese parent company or face a ban in the US.

The AI startup is seen to have outlined its vision to merge its AI-driven internet search technology with the widely-used video-sharing platform.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump revealed that the US was in negotiations with four parties looking to purchase TikTok, as the Chinese-owned application confronts an uncertain future in the nation.

A US legislation mandates that TikTok divest from its Chinese parent, ByteDance, or risk being restricted in the US.

The law prohibiting TikTok was enacted on January 19 due to concerns that the Chinese government could misuse the platform to surveil US citizens or subtly sway US public opinion.

While in office, Trump is said to have previously sought to prohibit TikTok in the US over national security apprehensions.

As the deadline for the law loomed, TikTok temporarily ceased operations in the US and was removed from app stores, frustrating millions of users.

Trump postponed the enforcement of the ban for two and a half months after starting his second term in January while trying to negotiate a resolution with Beijing.

In February, TikTok resumed operations in the United States and was reinstated on the Apple and Google app stores.

Perplexity announced plans to establish infrastructure for TikTok at US data centers and ensure its maintenance under US oversight.

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The company also promised to allow TikTok users to verify information as they view videos to ascertain their accuracy.