DUBAI: The Museum of the Future Stage, within the ‘most beautiful building in the world’ played host to an insightful talk by Jack Appleby and an intriguing debate between Dr. Mohamed Qasem and Dr. Hoda A. Alkhzaimi, on day one of the 2nd edition of the ‘1 Billion Followers Summit,’ taking place from 10-11 January 2024.
Niche Down or Go Broke!
Jack Appleby, a seasoned social strategist with a 15-year-long background in social media advertising for major brands such as Beats by Dre, and Microsoft, delivered an information-packed talk titled ‘Niche Down or Go Broke,’ to a full audience of established and aspiring influencers, and budding entrepreneurs.
The talk emphasised the idea of niching down as a strategy for success. Appleby stressed that finding a specific niche not only creates a genuine reason for followers to engage but also makes it easier for brands to sponsor and collaborate. He cautioned against relying solely on personality, noting that it can be challenging to build a substantial following on
personality alone.
To help content creators discover their niche, Appleby posed essential questions: ‘What are you passionate about, and what are your expertise?’ He urged creators to choose subjects they love. He also highlighted the importance of a unique perspective in content creation, urging creators not to replicate others’ recipes for success. ‘Your unique perspective is what makes your content stand out. Make content you will be proud of,’ he remarked.
Will AI Take Over Social Media?
In a riveting debate titled ‘Will AI Take Over Social Media?’, that unfolded around the question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) would contribute to the betterment of social media or lead to its downfall provided interesting perspectives for attendees. Dr. Mohamed Qasem and Dr. Hoda A. Alkhzaimi, both renowned AI experts, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion that left the audience pondering the future of the digital realm.
Dr. Qasem, known for his popular science podcast ‘Sciware’ and TV show Al-Alemoon,
championed AI’s potential for positive transformation. ‘Artificial Intelligence, when harnessed ethically, can revolutionize the way we interact with social media,’ he declared, highlighting its ability to refine content recommendations for users.
In contrast, Dr. Alkhzaimi, a cybersecurity expert at New York University Abu Dhabi, sounded a note of caution. ‘AI, if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to the credibility of social media platforms, and in the worst case scenario, to humanity itself’ she warned, expressing concerns about the rise of AI-generated accounts leading to misinformation and manipulation and the potential cataclysmic effects Artificial General Intelligence could have.
Moderated by Saoud Al Kaabi, the debate engaged the audience in a lively exchange. The Emirati actor and TV presenter ensured a balanced exploration of the topic, navigating the complexities with finesse.
With a focus on connectivity and professional development for content creators, the 1 Billion Followers Summit has
drawn in over 7,000 attendees featuring a stellar lineup of more than 195 speakers from 95+ countries.
Source: Emirates News Agency