From engineering bridges to connecting people
Richard Attias reflected on his journey from engineering to global communications, saying that his work had evolved from building physical infrastructure to building human connections.
“I moved from building physical bridges to building bridges between people,” he said.
He described the UAE as a long-standing source of inspiration, citing its cultural diversity and spirit of coexistence as key to his approach to creating spaces for dialogue and solution-driven conversations.
He also warned that while platforms such as TikTok have potential for knowledge sharing, they are equally filled with misleading content. With the rapid growth of AI, he stressed that technology must remain under human control.
The human cost of life in the spotlight
Cécilia Attias brought a personal perspective to the discussion, speaking about the challenges of family life under constant public scrutiny.
She said misinformation and false stories are among the most damaging pressures faced by public figures. She also highlighted the daily realities of living in the spotlight, including the loss of privacy in simple activities such as shopping with family.
She criticised media actors who prioritise visibility over truth, arguing that disengaging from rumours is often the most effective response.
‘UAE is one of the rare countries where privacy is respected’
Both Attiases reflected on their time living in the UAE, describing the country as a place where privacy is respected and personal dignity preserved.
“It’s one of the rare countries in the world where privacy is respected,” Cécilia Attias said. “We never had a single issue when we were living here.”
They praised the warmth of the people and described the UAE as a natural home for a global summit that brings together media, creative and leadership talent.
“We are in a country where people are dreamers and doers,” Richard Attias said.
Reputation vs legacy
Closing the session, Dr Al Kaabi asked whether reputation or legacy mattered more.
Richard Attias responded: “Reputation is like London weather — it changes every 15 minutes. Legacy is what remains forever.”
Cécilia Attias said she hopes to be remembered for contributions that endure across generations.
About BRIDGE Summit 2025
The session was part of BRIDGE Summit’s 300+ programme of discussions. The debut edition of the summit runs from 8 to 10 December 2025 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.