DUBAI: Media experts at the 1 Billion Followers Summit said on Friday that the rise of the creator economy was reshaping the media landscape, though the role of legacy outlets remained essential.
The 4th edition of the summit, held from Jan. 9 to 11 in Dubai, brought together more than 15,000 content creators and over 500 speakers from around the world to examine how the creator economy is transforming industries ranging from fashion and technology to sports, entertainment, AI, lifestyle and personal finance.
Held under the theme “Content for Good,” discussions on the opening day on Friday examined the latest trends of the creator economy, today worth $250 billion and projected to double by 2027, while urging creators and media outlets to use their influence in producing responsible and authentic content amid the rise of artificial intelligence.
The media industry was among the sectors witnessing significant transformation, as legacy outlets find themselves in competition with independent journalists and content creators who deliver information faster and with greater flexibility and direct outreach to the audiences, often outside traditional newsroom structures.
Another trend highlighted was the rise of niche media networks designed to cater to regional cultural diversity and local contexts — gaps often left unaddressed by global legacy media models.
