The fourth edition of the “One Billion Followers Summit” is set to launch in Dubai on Friday, January 9, 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him.
Organized by the UAE Government Media Office, the three-day summit is the largest global gathering focused on building the content creation economy, hosted across Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and the Museum of the Future under the theme “Purposeful Content.”
A Record-Breaking Gathering of Creators and Industry Giants
The summit is expected to attract more than 30,000 attendees, including over 15,000 leading content creators and influencers from across the globe. More than 500 speakers — whose combined reach exceeds 3.5 billion followers — will take part, along with over 150 global executives and experts in media, tech, and business.
In a gesture welcoming global participants, Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs partnered with telecom company du to create a custom SIM package for summit attendees arriving at Dubai airports.
580+ Sessions Focused on Media, Economy, and AI
The summit will feature 580+ sessions, including keynote talks, panels, workshops, and debates centered around three major themes: Economy, Content, and Technology.
These sessions aim to highlight emerging trends in digital media, showcase AI-powered tools, and present best practices from global platforms and creators. Experts from tech and social media giants will collaborate with influential creators to discuss the future of content and its impact on business, culture, and society.
UAE: A Global Hub for the Creator Economy
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, affirmed that the One Billion Followers Summit reinforces the UAE’s position as a hub for content creation and opens new horizons for creativity and growth. He noted that the summit has successfully redefined the role of digital media in serving communities over the past four years, guided by its theme of “Purposeful Content.”
His Excellency stressed that the summit has further strengthened the UAE’s leadership as a global media hub, providing a dynamic ecosystem that attracts, launches, and scales innovative and visionary projects in the sector.
Al Gergawi stated:
“The summit’s remarkable ability to attract such a large global audience of content creators, influencers, platforms, and major companies is a testament to the UAE’s status as the leading destination for innovators and key players in this industry. Here, they can collaborate in an environment that opens new pathways for investment, development, and creativity across media and creative industries. We are committed to ensuring that every edition of this global event results in impactful initiatives and tangible outcomes that make a real difference—amplifying the power of positive content to uplift communities and improve lives.”
This year’s summit is built on two pillars:
1. From Content to Impact
The event will focus on how creators can move beyond entertainment to make real-world impact. A highlight is the launch of the “One Billion Acts of Good” campaign, led by MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), the world’s most-followed YouTuber. Backed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the Varkey Foundation, the campaign will announce 10 selected creators who will join MrBeast in leading this global social movement.
Also unveiled at the summit is the first-ever global “Teachers Award”, launched in collaboration with TikTok to recognize creators in educational content. Additionally, five strategic partnerships with YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X (Twitter), and Meta have been announced to promote positive and impactful content creation.
2. AI-Powered Storytelling
The summit also launches the “AI Film Award”, in collaboration with Google Gemini, offering a $1 million grand prize. The competition attracted over 30,000 entries from 116 countries, with the top five AI-generated films to be showcased at the event.
The final day will reveal winners of the Creator Accelerator Program, the first of its kind globally. Organized by Creators HQ and 500 Global, the initiative supports content entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to a panel of investors. Winners will gain access to up to AED 50 million in funding and resources to develop their projects.
A Global Stage for Innovation and Influence
Major social media and content platforms such as Snapchat, X, YouTube, TikTok, Meta (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp), Disney+, and Twitch are present to explore the future of the creator economy.
Key discussions include:
-
Protecting intellectual property
-
Combating misinformation
-
Leveraging analytics and AI
-
Building strong creator communities
Executives, creators, and media experts will exchange insights on how to create meaningful, impactful, and sustainable content.
High-Profile Appearances and Inspiring Stories
The summit features appearances by global icons, including:
-
MrBeast, leading the “One Billion Acts of Good” panel with Saeed Al Eter (CEO of MBRGI), Sunny Varkey (Varkey Foundation), and Geoffrey Housenbold (CEO, Beast Industries)
-
Will Smith, in conversation with Faris Saeed (SEE Holdings), discussing lessons and inspiration from his National Geographic docuseries “Pole to Pole”
-
Max Amini, comedian, director, and podcaster, offering insights into his creative process and delivering a two-hour live show
-
Lara Trump, media personality and political figure, discussing her career in media and conservative commentary
-
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, speaking on long-term vision and iconic brand building
-
Rio Ferdinand, former football legend turned digital entrepreneur, sharing his journey from sports icon to creator
-
Simon Squibb, entrepreneur and content creator, reflecting on how giving away $1 million sparked real-world change
A Catalyst for Global Change
The One Billion Followers Summit 2026 is more than a digital media event — it’s a global movement to empower creators, inspire purpose, and transform content into action.
With thought leaders, tech giants, visionary creators, and over AED 50 million in investments, Dubai is once again at the forefront of shaping the future of purposeful, impactful content — one that builds communities, drives innovation, and changes lives.
