The Summit will also host more than 500 speakers, specialising in areas of the creator economy and new media technology, including over 150 CEOs and global experts.
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 begin on January 9, 2026. The three-day event, recognised as the world’s largest gathering dedicated to the content creator economy, is organised by the UAE Government Media Office and will be hosted across Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future in Dubai under the theme “Content for Good.”
Speaking at a press conference held at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, His Excellency Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said the Summit has grown in just four years to become the largest global platform for content creators. He noted that the event is a cornerstone of the UAE’s dynamic media ecosystem and reflects the leadership’s vision of positioning the country as a global media capital.
The press conference, attended by Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, alongside representatives of major social media platforms and leading media organisations, outlined the agenda and key developments for the 2026 edition.
Al Eter highlighted the rapid growth of the Summit, noting that the combined reach of its speakers has expanded from 1bn followers at its inaugural edition to 3.5bn by the fourth edition. He stressed that content has become a driving force in modern media and said the Summit aims to harness the positive influence of creators across sectors.
He explained that the upcoming edition will focus on two core pillars. The first centres on shifting from content creation to impact creation, including a collaboration with TikTok on an education-focused initiative designed to promote edutainment and recognise outstanding education creators. The initiative has drawn more than 610,000 participants, who have produced over 320,000 educational videos generating a combined 1.8bn views.
As part of this focus, the Summit has formed strategic partnerships with YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X and Meta to support impactful content. The programme includes more than 580 sessions and workshops, with over 500 speakers addressing topics ranging from financial literacy and healthcare to education and entrepreneurship.
Under this pillar, the Summit also partnered with MrBeast, the world’s most-followed YouTuber, to launch the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign. The initiative encourages creators worldwide to perform acts of kindness, with the top 10 participants selected to collaborate on humanitarian projects supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Varkey Foundation. The campaign has already inspired more than 170,000 acts of kindness, attracting over 100m views within three weeks.
Al Eter said the objective is to empower creators to make meaningful contributions within their communities and to promote content that benefits both societies and nations. The second pillar, he added, focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into content creation, highlighting its potential to transform the industry. As part of this effort, the Summit, in partnership with Google Gemini, launched the AI Film Award with a grand prize of $1m. The competition has attracted over 30,000 participants from 116 countries, with five films shortlisted for the final stage.
Alia AlHammadi said the Summit serves as a testing ground for global trends in new media and continues to evolve with a forward-looking agenda that equips creators with tools to innovate and leave a lasting impact. She noted that the event stimulates talent, supports technological adoption and expands funding and investment opportunities, collectively driving the growth of the creator economy.
She added that the fourth edition marks a new chapter for the Summit, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for the creator economy. The programme remains focused on quality engagement, sharing expertise from major companies and global leaders to help creators transform digital influence into positive social and economic impact.
The Summit will bring together representatives from leading global platforms, including Snapchat, X, YouTube, TikTok, Meta, Disney+ and Twitch, to explore the future of the creator economy. More than 15,000 creators and influencers from the Arab world and beyond are expected to attend, alongside over 500 speakers, including more than 150 CEOs and global experts.
Notable speakers include Will Smith, MrBeast, Lara Trump, Max Amini, Simon Squibb, Mohamed Alabbar and Rio Ferdinand. Across three main tracks—Economy, Content and Technology—the Summit will host more than 400 keynote sessions, roundtables, workshops and debates examining digital media trends, business models, AI, analytics, intellectual property and community building.
The event will also announce the winners of the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign, the $1m AI Film Award and the Creators Ventures Accelerator. The accelerator, organised by Creators HQ in collaboration with 500 Global, offers funding of up to AED 50m to support creators and creative startups, following more than 1,100 applications from over 70 countries.
In addition, the inaugural Educator Award, launched with TikTok to recognise creators transforming online learning, has attracted more than 610,000 applicants and generated 1.8bn views, further underscoring the Summit’s global reach and influence.
