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 is set to take place from January 9 to 11, 2026. Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the three-day event will be held across Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for the creator economy.
This year’s summit, themed ‘Content for Good’, will convene over 15,000 content creators, 500 expert speakers, and representatives from the world’s leading social media platforms to shape the future of digital media.
From Content Creation To Impact Creation
A central focus of the upcoming summit is the strategic shift from content creation to tangible impact creation. His Excellency Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, highlighted this mission during a press conference, stating the goal is to harness the positive influence of creators across all sectors.
His Excellency Saeed Al Eter said: “In its inaugural edition, speakers at the summit totalled 1 billion, a number that grew significantly to reach 3.5 billion followers in the 4th edition. It is the reality of our time that content is the driving force of media. Through the 1 Billion Followers Summit, our mission is to harness the positive impact of content creators across all sectors.”
A key initiative under this pillar is the ‘1 Billion Acts of Kindness’ campaign, launched in collaboration with MrBeast, the world’s most-followed YouTuber. The campaign, supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the Varkey Foundation, has already inspired over 170,000 acts of kindness. The summit will also celebrate the inaugural Educator Award, a partnership with TikTok that attracted over 610,000 applicants and generated 1.8 billion views for edutainment content.
Championing AI In Media
The second major pillar for the summit is the integration of artificial intelligence into the content creation process. Recognizing AI’s power to reshape the industry, the event has launched the world’s largest AI Film Award, in partnership with Google Gemini, featuring a grand prize of $1 million.
The award has already attracted over 30,000 participants from 116 countries, with five finalists set to be screened during the event where the ultimate winner will be announced. This initiative underscores the summit’s commitment to spearheading innovation and equipping creators with next-generation tools.
A Global Stage For The Creator Economy
The fourth edition builds on its growing momentum, hosting a star-studded lineup of speakers including actor and producer Will Smith, TV personality Lara Trump, comedian Max Amini, and Emaar Founder Mohamed Alabbar. They will be joined by representatives from platforms including Meta, X, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Disney+.
The interactive agenda features over 580 sessions, including keynotes, workshops, and fireside chats, designed to tackle industry challenges and share best practices in business, investment, and content creation.
Alia AlHammadi, CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, highlighted the event’s role as a laboratory for global new media trends. She stated, “In its fourth edition, the 1 Billion Followers Summit writes a new chapter of global success in the heart of the UAE, moving forward with a clear vision to solidify the nation’s status as a global hub for the creator economy.”
Fuelling The Next Wave Of Creative Startups
In a significant move to support the ecosystem’s commercial growth, the summit will reveal the winners of the Creators Ventures Accelerator. This world-first program, organized by Creators HQ in collaboration with 500 Global, aims to fund and support creative startups.
Having received over 1,131 applications from 70 countries, the accelerator will provide winning pitches with investment opportunities and funding of up to AED 50 million from Creators HQ and industry investors, empowering a new generation of media entrepreneurs.
About 1 Billion Followers Summit
With a goal of reaching over a billion people worldwide, the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest summit dedicated to the content creator economy, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, brings together top global social media influencers across all online platforms. The summit explores how new media can drive positive societal change and fuel sustainable economic growth for nations. It is a key component of the UAE’s commitment to foster a vibrant content creator community. Alongside business support services, and a globally connected, secure multinational environment, the UAE has committed resources and facilities specifically to fostering content creation.
Source: Zawya
