Culture, AI and ownership under the spotlight at BRIDGE Summit

The inaugural BRIDGE Summit 2025 — the world’s largest debut media event — has introduced a landmark Forum Stage programme led by global culture-makers and industry pioneers.

From Dec.8–10 at Adnec Abu Dhabi, the Summit will host defining conversations on the forces reshaping creativity, technology and influence worldwide, featuring Idris Elba, Gary Vaynerchuk and Alexis Ohanian at the centre of its discussions.

Spanning 1.65 million square feet and welcoming more than 60,000 participants from 132 countries, BRIDGE Summit 2025 will convene over 430 speakers across 300 sessions, with 1,200 CEOs, 260 advertising agencies and nearly 5,000 media professionals joining the event’s first edition.

Democratising global creativity and cultural influence

Idris Elba will lead a session titled ‘Democratising the Role of the Creator in a Global Content World,’ exploring how the shift from traditional gatekeepers — major studios, broadcasters and publishers — to millions of creators is changing who gets to shape culture, and why keeping creativity human still matters.

AI, ownership, and the next phase of the internet In ‘AI Won’t Wait, Neither Should You’, Gary Vaynerchuk will examine the next technological inflection point as AI transforms how people create, distribute and interpret content. His session argues that advantage will belong to those who adopt early, stay adaptable and use technology to deepen — rather than dilute — human connection.

Alexis Ohanian will expand this discussion into the future of digital ownership, online communities and the creator economy, in ‘Re-turning’ the Web. Drawing on his experience founding Reddit and building Seven Seven Six, he will outline how AI is altering value chains, reshaping platform dynamics and redefining what creators should own in the next phase of the internet.

Independent media and the creators reshaping global trust A wide slate of Forum Stage conversations will explore the future of journalism and public trust. In ‘Independent Media's Biggest Powerplayers’, Fabrizio Romano will dissect the rise of direct-to-audience reporting and real-time storytelling. Justin Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Semafor, will lead a talk titled ‘Media’s New Centers of Gravity,’ exploring how regions can protect their own stories and perspectives as social platforms increasingly shape what audiences worldwide see and trust.

 Journalism, truth, and rebuilding credibility In ‘The Threshold of Truth,' Julie Pace, SVP & Executive Editor of the Associated Press, will address the global erosion of trust in news and the tension between truth-seeking and advocacy.

In ‘The New Priorities of News Media,' Earl J. Wilkinson, CEO of INMA, will explore how publishers can build resilience amid collapsing advertising models, declining referrals and AI-driven disruption — and why strong audience relationships are now the foundation of newsroom sustainability.

 Culture and emotional innovation Hussein Freijeh, Vice President, MENA at Snap Inc., will explore how augmented reality and next-generation social platforms are reshaping how people see, engage and express identity in his talk ‘The Next Chapter of Connection’.

 Brand identity and the creative renaissance Ghassan Harfouche, Group CEO of MCN and President of McCann Worldgroup APAC, will examine brand endurance in a volatile cultural landscape in a session titled ‘Building a Brand That Lasts’, while Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer of e.l.f. Beauty, will explore how culture-driven disruption and purpose-led brand building shape momentum in a session titled ‘e.l.f. 1: Formula for the Fearless’. Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager of Operations at TikTok, will highlight how short-form storytelling empowers creators to build communities, spark movements and shape global trends in a session titled ‘The World’s Creative Future Platformed by TikTok’.

 These talks form part of a 300+ session program that underscores BRIDGE Summit’s scale and ambition.

 BRIDGE Summit is developed under the mandate of BRIDGE Alliance - an independent, non-profit global organization that brings together leaders, policymakers, CEOs, investors, creators, thinkers, and media professionals on a unified platform for collaboration.

 The Alliance works to strengthen the foundations of a more interconnected global media ecosystem by facilitating the exchange of expertise, aligning shared priorities, and supporting meaningful, constructive cooperation across borders and sectors. Its vision is rooted in advancing credibility, trust, and transparency across the industry, while elevating global media standards in ways that support responsible innovation and reinforce the role of media as a trusted driver of economic, social, and cultural development. Established in line with the UAE’s vision to enhance global cooperation and innovation, the Alliance affirms the nation’s position as a hub for global dialogue. Its mission further contributes to strengthening the media sector’s contribution to national strategies and the global knowledge economy.