Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (DUBAI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit will kick off on January 9, 2026 in Dubai.
Speaking during a press conference in Dubai ahead of the Summit, Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, outlined the nation’s vision for the future of content creation and the rapidly growing global creator economy.
Al Eter described the summit as the world’s largest specialised gathering for the content creation industry, reflecting the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and creative economy innovation.
The three-day event, taking place from January 9 to 11, 2026 in Dubai, is held under the theme “Content for Good” and will be hosted across the Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future.
The summit attracts over 15,000 creators and is expected to see more than 30,000 attendees over the three days.
Al Eter highlighted the scale of the industry, noting that there are approximately 200 million content creators worldwide, with the sector’s value rapidly expanding.
He explained that globally, 77% of content creators work full time, underscoring the economic shift towards content creation as a viable profession rather than a hobby.
“We are committed to transforming the profession,” he said, emphasising that modern creators are not just producers of media but brands, economic contributors, and community influencers in their own right.
“The UAE aims to empower these creators with educational opportunities, business tools, and pathways to financial independence,” he added.
As part of this strategy, the fourth edition of the summit will host major global platforms including Google, YouTube, TikTok, Meta, Instagram, Snapchat, X, Disney+ and Twitch, each running dedicated “houses” featuring workshops, training sessions, and networking opportunities.
The event’s agenda features more than 580 sessions and content-focused workshops, and over 500 speakers addressing a wide range of topics from financial literacy and education to healthcare and entrepreneurship, WAM reported.
He added that the upcoming edition will focus on two pillars. The first pillar is the shift from content creation into impact creation.
He stated: “Part of this effort is our collaboration with TikTok on an education-focused initiative designed to drive edutainment content and recognise the best education creators. The initiative has attracted 610,000 participants creating 320,000 educational videos that have collectively amassed 1.8 billion views on the platform.”
Under this pillar, Al Eter noted that the 1 Billion Followers Summit and MrBeast, the world’s most-followed YouTuber, launched the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign.
The campaign invites creators to perform acts of kindness, with the top 10 selected to work on a humanitarian project alongside Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the Varkey Foundation, he said.
In just three weeks, the campaign inspired over 170,000 acts of kindness, generating more than 100 million views, Al Eter revealed.
“The campaign aims to inspire creators to pursue humanitarian initiatives across sectors such as health, education, and child welfare,” he added.
The second pillar of this year’s summit is artificial intelligence. Al Eter explained that generative AI tools are reshaping creative industries and lowering barriers to entry, enabling individuals from across continents to produce films and media at unprecedented scale.
The summit also partnered with Google Gemini to launch the AI Film Award, offering a $1 million prize, making it the world’s largest AI film competition.
The award received over 30,000 submissions from 116 countries, with approximately 10 Emirati submissions.
Only five films were shortlisted for the final stage and screening during the summit, where the winner will also be announced.
During the event, the UAE aims to build bridges between creators and 21 investment funds collectively managing approximately $10 billion, offering opportunities for funding, partnerships and business growth.
Another key initiative mentioned is the Creators Ventures Accelerator, a world-first programme launched by Creators HQ in partnership with 500 Global, aiming to support content-focused start-ups.
The programme received 1,131 applications from over 70 countries, and finalists will pitch their ideas to investors with the chance to win up to Dh50 million in funding, Al Eter noted.
Also debuting this year is the Educator Award, a global initiative celebrating creators who are redefining online learning. Launched with TikTok, it drew more than 610,000 applicants, demonstrating the increasing appetite for impactful, knowledge-driven content.
The summit will feature more than 580 sessions, including 400 keynotes, fireside chats, and workshops, and welcomes over 500 speakers, including 150+ global CEOs and experts.
Headline speakers include Will Smith, MrBeast, Lara Trump, Max Amini, Simon Squibb, Mohamed Alabbar, and Rio Ferdinand, among others.
“The 1 Billion Followers Summit is committed to driving tangible change in new media by supporting content creators. The world is undergoing rapid changes, with content, media, and cinema evolving at a greater pace.If we are not at the heart of this evolution, we risk being left behind. Our goal is to actively shape this industry,” Al Eter said.
Also speaking during the press conference, Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, highlighted the 1 Billion Followers Summit’s role as a laboratory for testing global trends in new media.
AlHammadi affirmed that the summit’s agenda continues to focus on quality and deeper engagement. This is achieved by sharing the expertise of major firms and leading global experts with the creators, the driving force toward transforming “digital influence” into a positive impact that propels both human and economic development to new heights, WAM reported.
