Dubai has reinforced its position at the centre of the global content economy as Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of UAE Cabinet Affairs, opened the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, reaffirming its status as the world’s largest annual gathering of content creators.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day summit, Al Gergawi highlighted the rapid growth of the platform, which has expanded its global audience from one billion followers at its inaugural edition to 3.5 billion in its fourth edition—growth he said brings both greater responsibility and greater potential to drive positive change.
Al Gergawi delivered the opening remarks at the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, and hosted across Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future, under the theme Content for Good. More than 15,000 content creators and influencers were in attendance.
1 Billion Followers Summit 2026
Al Gergawi said: “Over the summit’s three days, we will celebrate content, not just as an industry, but as a driving force capable of improving lives”.
The three-day event will attract more than 30,000 attendees, alongside over 500 speakers across 580 sessions and workshops covering economy, technology, education and community-focused content.
Al Gergawi outlined the evolving role of the content industry, noting its growing influence on public awareness, priorities and the future.
He said: “Content is now an integral part of politics, a driver of economy and a force shaping communities. Over 50 million videos are produced around the world on a daily basis across just two of the many existing social platforms. Individuals are exposed to more than 10,000 media messages, and spend an average of 5 hours on social media every day.”
He stressed that content creation today extends beyond entertainment to the creation of meaning. “The summit’s theme of ‘Content for Good’ means we perceive content creators as creators of impact and change,” he said.
Al Gergawi also pointed to algorithms as a transformative force shaping humanity’s trajectory.
“Alongside governments that shape the rules of life, scientists who shape our understanding of the world, and businesses that transform ideas into value, algorithms shape our priorities, decisions, choices and direction.
“Content creators feed these algorithms, which means they are the driving force behind the human journey of intellect, public opinion and daily behaviour.
“We want creators to shift from amassing followers to driving change, and from creating content that wastes the user’s time to one that builds and empowers the individual.”
MrBeast support
Highlighting global initiatives linked to the summit, Al Gergawi referenced the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign launched with MrBeast, supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Varkey Foundation.
The campaign encouraged creators worldwide to share acts of kindness, with the top 10 travelling to Ghana for a humanitarian project.
“The results were remarkable, as the campaign inspired more than 170,000 acts of kindness,” he told the audience.
Another initiative, launched in collaboration with TikTok, focused on edutainment content and recognising top educators. It attracted more than 600,000 participants and generated 1.8 billion views on the platform.
AI in content creation
Artificial intelligence was also identified as a major focus for the summit.
Al Gergawi said: “We deeply believe that those who do not embrace AI now will be left behind. Today, social media companies spend around $250bn on AI, with 86 per cent of creators utilising generative AI tools, which help quadruple the amount of produced content while cutting 60 per cent of costs.
“Additionally, 70 per cent of images circulating on social media today are AI-generated. Adding to the mix is a world of virtual influencers in a market that is projected to grow to $37bn in four years.”
As part of efforts to explore AI’s role in filmmaking, the summit announced a $1m AI Film Award in partnership with Google Gemini.
“Drawing over 30,000 creators from 116 countries, the Award is a major turning point in the future of filmmaking, moving from major corporation monopoly to creator empowerment. The summit also features 10 sessions and workshops dedicated to the practical application of AI in content creation,” Al Gergawi said.
Concluding his remarks, Al Gergawi emphasised that while technology, platforms and algorithms play a role, it is ultimately human imagination and meaning that shape the future.
