Industry insiders say the initiative has attracted only around 1,000 creators so far—barely 10 percent of its goal.
Abu Dhabi’s new Bridge Summit, which kicks off on Monday December 8, is already sending waves through the Gulf’s media scene and shaking up Dubai’s flagship 1 Billion Followers Summit. Positioned as a top-tier convergence of media, tech, and capital, Bridge has drawn heavyweight interest from global creators, investors, and entertainment groups. The move signals a power shift that could redefine the region’s creative economy, testing Dubai’s early lead in courting the global creator class.
In January 2025, Dubai rolled out an ambitious vision to become the world’s capital for digital creators. At last year’s 1 Billion Followers Summit, the UAE unveiled the Creators HQ—a sweeping plan backed by an AED150 million fund to attract 10,000 influencers and digital storytellers to Dubai. The offer was generous: long-term Golden Visas, business setup support, production studios, funding opportunities, and access to a mentorship-driven ecosystem.
The launch grabbed international attention. Forbes called Creators HQ “a full-service institution designed to address every aspect of a creator’s professional journey.” With major partners including Meta, TikTok, YouTube, X, and Creator Now, Dubai seemed poised to dominate the creator economy.
But nearly a year later, the numbers tell a different story. Industry insiders say the initiative has attracted only around 1,000 creators so far—barely 10 percent of its goal. Despite numerous attempts to get the organizers to confirm this information, our emails and calls stayed unanswered.
While official data is scarce, reports point to bureaucratic delays and questions over income stability for creators dependent on global platforms. Despite heavy marketing and backing, uptake of the creator visa remains slow.
The 2026 edition of the summit, scheduled for January 9–11, is doubling down on spectacle: a $1 million AI film contest with Google Gemini, a Creators Ventures Accelerator, and new international partnerships like TikTok’s $100K Educator Award. Yet what’s missing is proof of real creator migration or sustained community traction.
Dubai’s visibility strategy remains strong—Times Square billboards, social media blitzes, and high-profile summits—but visibility no longer guarantees dominance. The Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi, set for December 8, is fast becoming the region’s new gravitational center for media, entertainment, and AI. Its integration with global tech infrastructure and investor networks positions Abu Dhabi as a formidable alternative hub.
Adding to the pressure, Doha’s Web Summit has emerged as another magnet for startups and creators, reinforcing Qatar’s tech and innovation ambitions. Together, these events underscore a shifting dynamic across the Gulf: a high-stakes race not just for followers, but for creative influence, digital talent, and narrative ownership in the world’s fastest-growing content economies.
