Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Artificial intelligence and automation may be simplifying daily life and expanding possibilities – but as they take over cyberspace, the digital world risks losing its human touch, said Brendan Greene, creator of the popular video game PUBG and CCO of PLAYERUNKNOWN Productions.
Speaking at the BRIDGE Summit, Greene offered a reality check, stressing that in a world increasingly dominated by bots and algorithm-driven experiences, genuine human connection remains the core purpose of digital platforms.
“We don’t come online for bots. We come online for each other,” he said.
Greene argued that traditional social platforms, once designed to unite people, now feel hollow and overcrowded with artificial behaviour. In contrast, he described immersive virtual game worlds as the places where authentic human connection is now flourishing.
“Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, and PUBG are not just games – they are platforms where millions gather to create, discover and share moments together,” Greene told the audience.
Through PLAYERUNKNOWN Productions, he is embarking on a new mission: to build a new, open 3D layer of the internet where users can truly own, shape and share their worlds.
“The future of digital interaction is in 3D,” he said. “We don’t need to tear anything down. We need to add a completely new layer – a three-dimensional layer that restores trust, creativity and connection.”
He emphasised that this vision should not be controlled by one company, but rather owned and shaped by its users.
“This must be infrastructure for humanity, not a tool for profit,” Greene said.
He also highlighted the technical breakthroughs his team is developing, including large-scale virtual networking systems that could allow millions of users to coexist in digital worlds.
“People don’t just want content – they want agency, shared stories, and worlds big enough for imagination and connection,” he added.
Greene described the project not just as a technological goal but a human one. “Adding a new layer to the internet – one that restores trust, connection and creativity – is one of the most ambitious goals humanity can take on. But impossible is where innovation begins.”
