UAE sets global media agenda as BRIDGE Summit 2025 begins in Abu Dhabi

The ceremony began with remarks from Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of BRIDGE. He said the Summit reflects the identity of the UAE — a nation that has long opened its doors to the world and created an environment where ideas, cultures and ambitions meet without barriers.

“This is a country that has always welcomed the world, and BRIDGE is an extension of that spirit,” he said.

Al Hamed stressed that the UAE believes the world needs fewer divisions and more opportunities for meaningful exchange. In his address, he warned that as artificial intelligence evolves and shapes how people consume information, values must remain at the heart of media.

“No matter how advanced technology becomes, it can never replace the human value that forms the essence of real media,” he said. “It is values that give words their meaning; credibility that gives news its weight; and responsibility that gives media its legitimacy.”

He outlined three pillars he believes must guide the next era of media:

Al Hamed emphasised that BRIDGE is designed to build a global dialogue around these ideas. He expressed confidence that the partnerships formed at the Summit will expand the role of media as a force for understanding and cooperation.

The global significance of the Summit was highlighted by Richard Attias, strategist and Chairman’s Strategic Advisor to BRIDGE Alliance.

He said BRIDGE was born from the realisation that although the media sector is one of the most influential in the world, it lacked a true home—one place where journalists, creators, leaders and innovators could gather to imagine the future.

“Today, that idea becomes reality. BRIDGE is no longer a concept—it is an alliance,” he said.

Attias described the Summit as the result of the work of more than 1,000 people in the UAE, who helped build what he called one of the world’s most important platforms for media.

“BRIDGE is a gift from Abu Dhabi to the world,” he said. “Welcome to BRIDGE, where the world’s media finally has a home, a voice, and a future.”

The opening ceremony featured a short film tracing the origins of human communication. It moved from ancient cave drawings to Mesopotamian scribes, the libraries of Alexandria, and the invention of the printing press — then to cinema, radio, television, and finally, the birth of the internet.

One moment highlighted the first digital message sent between two computers in 1969, a milestone that changed history and continues to shape modern life.

The film then reflected on today’s challenges: misinformation, digital fragmentation, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. It placed the UAE at the centre of this evolution — as a country that champions dialogue, innovation and forward-thinking regulation.

A young Emirati speaker took the stage to reflect on the importance of staying anchored in truth in the age of AI. His message urged audiences to use technology responsibly while protecting the values that underpin credible storytelling.

This was followed by a contemporary dance performance. Eight dancers portrayed a fractured world slowly rebuilding trust, connection and unity — mirroring the mission of BRIDGE Summit.

Emcee Tumi Magkabó concluded the opening segment with an overview of today’s media landscape. She noted that:

“Welcome,” she said, “to the largest debut media event in the world.”

As BRIDGE Summit 2025 continues over three days, more than 400 speakers, 60,000 attendees and hundreds of media and technology organisations will take part in panel discussions, workshops, masterclasses and interactive experiences.

The Summit aims to tackle urgent questions shaping the industry:

BRIDGE Summit 2025 has set out to become the global home for these conversations — and for an industry undergoing one of the most transformative periods in its history.

As the UAE positions itself at the crossroads of digital innovation and cultural exchange, BRIDGE stands as a symbol of its belief in openness, dialogue and global cooperation.

The bridges built in Abu Dhabi this week, organisers say, are only the beginning.