The fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit begins on Friday in Dubai, bringing together top content creators, global influencers, and industry experts to discuss the future of the digital media economy.
The three-day event will take place at Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, under the theme “Content for Good.”
Summit scale and participation
The event is expected to host over 30,000 attendees, including more than 15,000 Arab and international creators, and 500 speakers with a combined following of 3.5 billion. Over 150 CEOs and global experts will participate in sessions covering trends, investment, and content creation.
The summit will feature 580 keynote sessions, workshops, roundtables, fireside chats, and debates across three main tracks: Economy, Content, and Technology. Experts from leading technology and social media companies will share insights into digital media trends and best practices.
UAE’s role in content creation
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said the summit highlights the UAE’s position as a hub for the content industry. He said: “The Summit’s remarkable ability to draw such a large audience of content creators, global influencers, platforms, and major firms is a testament to the UAE’s position as the premier destination for the industry’s innovators and key players.
“Here, they can collaborate in an environment that unlocks new horizons for investment, development, and creativity across the media and creative industries. We are dedicated to ensuring that each edition of this global event culminates in impactful initiatives and concrete outcomes that make a tangible difference, strengthening the power of positive content to advance communities and improve lives for the better.”
Key initiatives and campaigns
The summit focuses on two main pillars:
Content for Good: Promoting content that drives social impact. The summit and YouTuber MrBeast launched the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign, with support from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the Varkey Foundation. Ten creators will join MrBeast in leading the global social movement.
AI in content creation: In partnership with Google Gemini, the summit introduced the AI Film Award with a $1 million prize, attracting entries from 30,000 participants across 116 countries. The winner will be announced on Day 2.
The event also includes the Creators Ventures Accelerator, supporting creative start-ups and content ventures. Winners may receive investment and support valued at up to Dhs 50 million. The program attracted 1,131 applications from over 70 countries.
Notable speakers and sessions
The summit hosts a range of global personalities, including:
MrBeast: Leading the “1 Billion Acts of Kindness” campaign.
Max Amini: Comedian and producer, delivering a live performance and sharing career insights.
Lara Trump: Media personality and former political campaign co-chair.
Will Smith: Actor and producer, discussing environmental and social insights from his National Geographic series.
Mohamed Alabbar: Founder of Emaar, discussing brand building and long-term growth.
Rio Ferdinand: Former footballer and entrepreneur, reflecting on personal transformation and content creation.
Simon Squibb: British entrepreneur, sharing lessons on impact-driven content and philanthropy.
Platforms and partnerships
The summit brings together social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Snapchat, X, Disney+, and TWITCH, exploring the future of the creator economy and strategies for impactful content.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 aims to combine global expertise, innovation, and social impact to shape the content creation industry, support creators, and inspire positive change worldwide.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
