The United Arab Emirates is spearheading a transformative initiative to establish content creation as a sustainable full-time profession, positioning itself at the forefront of the rapidly expanding global creator economy. This strategic move comes as projections indicate the sector’s value will surge to $1.3 trillion by 2033, according to officials speaking at a preparatory conference for the fourth annual 1 Billion Followers Summit.
Saeed AlEter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, emphasized the nation’s commitment to developing professional pathways for digital creators during Tuesday’s announcement. While approximately 48% of content creators worldwide currently treat their platforms as primary employment, the UAE aims to significantly expand its cadre of professional creators as the industry evolves toward maturity.
The upcoming summit, scheduled for January 9-11, 2026 under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will convene across multiple Dubai venues including Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future. With the theme “Content for Good,” the event reflects a values-driven approach that prioritizes humanitarian impact, community engagement, and positive social outcomes alongside economic growth.
The summit’s remarkable growth trajectory demonstrates its increasing global influence: participating speakers’ combined followings have expanded from one billion during the inaugural event to 3.5 billion in the upcoming edition. This growth mirrors the sector’s explosive development, with over 200 million content creators operating worldwide today.
The comprehensive agenda features more than 580 sessions including keynote addresses, roundtable discussions, fireside chats, and workshops delivered by 500+ experts and 150+ CEOs. Discussion topics will span critical areas such as educational content, financial literacy, healthcare advocacy, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.
Strategic partnerships with major digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Meta will facilitate initiatives promoting positive content. A recent collaboration with TikTok focusing on educational material attracted 610,000 participants, generating over 320,000 videos and accumulating 1.8 billion views.
Notable humanitarian initiatives include the “1 Billion Acts of Kindness” campaign launched with influencer MrBeast, which has already inspired 170,000 acts of kindness globally and generated 100 million views within three weeks. Top creators will be selected to collaborate on projects supported by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Varkey Foundation.
Artificial intelligence integration represents another key focus area. The summit, in partnership with Google Gemini, has established the AI Film Award with a $1 million prize pool. The competition received 30,000 submissions from 116 countries, with shortlisted films scheduled for exhibition during the event.
Anticipating over 15,000 creators and influencers from across the region and beyond, organizers are positioning the UAE as a global nexus for the creator economy while championing content that delivers measurable social impact and humanitarian benefits.