Dhruv Rathee, Revant Himatsingka, Samantha Ruth Prabhu to take the global stage in Dubai

Dubai is emerging as the epicentre of the global creator economy as the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 kicks off from 9 to 11 January, bringing together the world’s most influential digital voices under one roof. Widely recognised as the largest gathering of content creators globally, the summit is set to host over 15,000 creators and more than 500 speakers, whose combined reach exceeds a staggering 3.5 billion followers.

Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the sold-out three-day event is being held across iconic locations, including Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Museum of the Future. With the theme Content for Good, the summit positions Dubai as a global hub for digital storytelling, innovation and the evolving influence economy.

This year, Indian creators have a strong presence on the global stage. YouTuber and educator Dhruv Rathee, health and nutrition advocate Revant Himatsingka, also known as Food Pharmer, and actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu are among the prominent Indian names invited to the summit, underscoring India’s growing influence in the global creator ecosystem.

Dhruv Rathee, known for his explainer videos on social, political and environmental issues, commands a vast global following of over 30 million subscribers on YouTube. His participation reflects the growing international relevance of Indian educational creators beyond domestic audiences. Revant Himatsingka, known as Food Pharmer, has built a loyal community by decoding food labels and calling out misleading health claims, representing the rising influence of purpose-driven content in the wellness and lifestyle space.

Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s presence underscores how mainstream celebrities are increasingly blurring the lines between cinema and creator culture. With a strong social media following, she represents a new generation of actor-influencers who engage with audiences beyond films, using digital platforms to shape conversations around wellness, fashion and social causes.

Sharing the stage with them is global superstar MrBeast, the most subscribed individual creator on YouTube, who recently crossed 450 million subscribers and holds the platform’s iconic Diamond Play Button. Known as much for his large-scale philanthropy as for his viral content, MrBeast is a central figure at this year’s summit.

One of the biggest highlights of the 2026 edition is the 1 Billion Acts of Kindness initiative, launched in collaboration with MrBeast, the Varkey Foundation and Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives. As part of the project, creators from around the world will come together to drive real-world impact, including the construction of an entire village in Ghana with access to clean water, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods. Selected creators will join MrBeast on the ground, with the journey documented for a global audience.

Beyond celebrity appearances, the summit focuses heavily on the business and responsibility of influence. Sessions range from monetisation strategies, brand collaborations and platform diversification to discussions on artificial intelligence, short form video, live streaming, mental health and ethical content creation.