Our first-ever TikTok DevDay conference in San Jose was an incredible success! With over 300 developers in attendance, the event provided an immersive experience into TikTok’s growing ecosystem of tools and innovations. From cutting-edge open-source projects to new developer APIs, participants got a firsthand look at the technology powering TikTok and the potential for future development on the platform.

Key highlights

The event kicked off with an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including leaders at TikTok: Yufan Zhu, Gill Tan, and Isaac Bess. They shared TikTok's bold vision for the future—highlighting how innovation, partnerships, and an elevated user experience will continue to shape the platform’s growth.

The technical deep dives were led by TikTok's top engineering minds. Speakers such as David Dong, Kyle Yin, Andy Bonillo, and Eric Brothers offered insights into TikTok's groundbreaking advancements in areas like recommendation systems, developer tools, and security innovations. These sessions provided developers with a look under the hood, showing how TikTok's technology is designed to foster both creativity and safety on the platform.

Panel on product partnerships

One of the most anticipated moments was the panel on product partnerships, where TikTok executives discussed how developers can leverage the platform to create dynamic collaborations. Representatives from Spotify and Giphy took the stage to share how their integrations with TikTok have fueled both engagement and innovation, offering inspiration for attendees to imagine the potential for their own projects.

Breakout sessions

With a focus on hands-on learning, the breakout sessions were divided into three core tracks:

1. Product Demo Track
   This track featured sessions like Rachel Dunham's deep dive into music discovery and Langer Lee’s discussion on gaming opportunities for small businesses. Developers got to explore how TikTok’s latest product updates are transforming user engagement, making it easier for creators to build meaningful experiences across music, gaming, and live streaming.
2. Multimedia Track
   Attendees were thrilled by the technical discussions around TikTok's VOD and live-streaming technologies. Jamie Chen’s presentation on TikTok VOD technology and Feng Qian’s insights into the future of multimedia research provided a fascinating look at how TikTok continues to innovate in content delivery. Khang Nguyen also walked developers through the capabilities of the TikTok Embed Player, showcasing its impact on media consumption.
3. Intelligent Creation Track
   In this track, TikTok's leading engineers discussed the platform’s AI-driven tools for creators. Sophie Ma shared the comprehensive tools available for creating effects, while Xiaohui Shen’s session on GenAI techniques captivated the audience with a glimpse into how AI is shaping the future of content creation on TikTok. The session on HDR support also drew excitement from developers eager to build high-quality, visually dynamic experiences.

Networking and community building

Beyond the tech, TikTok Dev Day was all about community. Networking opportunities included lunchtime meetups and a happy hour event, where attendees connected with TikTok engineers and partner companies. These interactions sparked creative discussions about how developers can push the boundaries of what’s possible on TikTok.

Conclusion

Our inaugural Dev Day was a major milestone for TikTok, demonstrating the power of TikTok's technology and developer community. The energy and creativity we saw at the event were truly inspiring. We’re excited to continue building this community and can’t wait to see what the next generation of developers will create. Stay tuned for more updates as we grow this initiative—this is just the beginning! Follow us on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and news.