World’s largest AI film award unveiled alongside $13.6m creator fund, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for innovation and digital creativity
Dubai is set to host the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit in January 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The global event, which brings together digital leaders, innovators, and creators, will feature a groundbreaking highlight — the launch of the world’s largest prize for AI-generated films, valued at $1 million.
The initiative underscores Dubai’s ambition to shape the future of media, storytelling, and creativity through artificial intelligence, marking a major milestone in the intersection of technology and the creative industries.
In addition to the $1m AI film prize, the Summit will also introduce a $13.6 million fund for creators, designed to support and empower digital talent across diverse platforms, industries, and geographies.
Dubai has already positioned itself as a global pioneer in innovation and digital assets, particularly in tokenisation and virtual economies, through the efforts of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). The announcement further cements the emirate’s role as a forward-looking hub driving the next evolution of technology-enabled creativity.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 is expected to draw an audience of global creators, media professionals, and investors, setting the stage for Dubai to play a defining role in the future of digital storytelling powered by AI.
