Global media and AI leaders to gather in Moscow for the ‘Culture. Media. Digital' forum

Moscow will once again become a meeting point for leaders in the creative industries, media, technology, and the arts. The International Forum “Culture. Media. Digital” serves as a platform where new ideas, projects, and partnerships take shape. Today, it is at the intersection of these fields that solutions emerge, defining the future of culture and communications. The forum has become a place where such ideas gain both form and momentum for growth.

The Future of the CIS Media Market

In 2025, the Forum’s key theme is the potential of the CIS media market with a rapidly growing audience of more than 350 million Russian-speaking users. This ecosystem is developing its own infrastructure at remarkable speed: local AI tools, content-distribution platforms, and new models of monetization and collaboration. The Forum’s mission is to bring together creators, distributors and regulators to develop this potential towards sustainable growth and content export.

The Forum’s focus on artificial intelligence and digital tools aligns with global trends driving innovation in the Middle East. The development of AI ecosystems such as GigaChat, YandexGPT, Kandinsky, Serge AI, and Astrum Entertainment reflects a shared vision with initiatives like the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and the Dubai Future Foundation. Both regions are investing in technologies that promote sustainable growth, creative entrepreneurship, and cross-border knowledge exchange.

The Forum will also address the diversity of cultural and ethical frameworks shaping media across the CIS and neighboring regions. Sessions such as Distribution of Attention in the CIS: What Works Today and Scaling Content: Tools and Standards will examine how local codes, moderation practices, and audience sensitivities influence content visibility and cooperation among markets with strong Islamic cultural traditions in Central Asia.

The Forum’s Business Agenda

That is why this year’s program is built around six thematic tracks that connect culture, technology, media, and business.

The Media Network track will focus on new media and digital tools — different platforms and formats, distribution algorithms, trends, and content monetization models. The Influencers block will bring together experts to discuss influencer marketing, the digital landscape and personal branding, along with strategies for social media promotion and community building. Technsorcery will explore VR, AI, and other technologies that enable the creation, automation, and scaling of projects. Art Resource will provide a space for dialogue on the creative industries: literature, music, theater, fashion, museums, as well as festivals and collaborations. The PRology section will address modern PR practices, media strategies, event marketing, and reputation management. Finally, Cinema Space will focus on film production, distribution and marketing, including the role of streaming platforms and the emergence of new viewership formats.

As the global conversation around digital creativity expands, the Forum contributes to the wider dialogue shared by innovation hubs such as the UAE, where AI, creative industries, and smart-city ecosystems are reshaping the future of media and communication. By connecting thought leaders from over 20 countries, the event strengthens the international exchange of ideas that support digital transformation and creative economy growth worldwide.

Altogether, this year’s discussions will feature more than 100 speakers from over 20 countries, representing media companies, the IT sector, the film industry, as well as government and educational institutions.