Global star Will Smith affirmed that technology, no matter how advanced, cannot replace humans or their emotional experience. He emphasized that the essence of any true technological progress lies in its ability to serve the 'human story' and enhance human connection, not in replacing emotions or values.
Smith stated that fear is the greatest enemy of dreams, and the ability to embrace discomfort is the key to discovering beauty and happiness, whether in life, work, or building the future. These remarks were made during a session titled 'From the Poles to Sustainable Cities', part of the fourth edition of the Billion Followers Summit, the world's largest summit in the content industry. The event is organized by the UAE Media Office and hosted by the United Arab Emirates over three days, concluding tomorrow at Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of Dubai under the theme 'Purposeful Content'.
The session, moderated by Emirati content creator and summit ambassador Khaled Al-Amari, featured Will Smith and Fares Saeed, Chairman of the Board and CEO of 'SE Holding', the developer of the sustainable city project in Dubai. The dialogue brought together a deep human experience and a forward-looking vision for sustainable cities.
Global star Will Smith expressed his deep love for Dubai, confirming it holds a special place in his heart, describing it as one of his two favorite cities in the world alongside Miami. He noted that Dubai possesses a unique human and creative energy and contains 'hidden gems' that reflect the spirit of innovation and diversity, adding that the 'Sustainable City' represents an inspiring model of this approach.
Smith recounted his exceptional journey from pole to pole and his human experience of exploring seven continents in 100 days. He spoke of the profound lessons he learned from facing nature, fear, and harsh conditions, describing the journey as one of self-discovery as much as it was a journey of planetary discovery.
Smith said that the experiences he endured in the most extreme environments, from diving under the ice in the Arctic to the depths of the Amazon rainforests, taught him that fear prevents people from enjoying life. He added, 'If we are not willing to enter scary places, we will not be able to love, we will not succeed in business, and we will not achieve our dreams.' He explained that the greatest lesson he learned is how to manage the mind in moments of danger and anxiety, as controlling thoughts is the first step toward freedom.
Smith reflected on his experience filming a documentary in collaboration with National Geographic and Disney, describing the partnership as a 'dream come true.' He said the project began from a purely scientific standpoint before gradually transforming into a deep spiritual and human journey.
He also noted that facing nature face-to-face revealed to him the interconnectedness of everything in this world, from humans to the environment, and from simple communities to the most advanced civilizations.
Speaking about sustainability and the future of cities, Smith praised what he saw in the 'Sustainable City' in Dubai, confirming it represents a cutting-edge model, a decade ahead of its time. He said Dubai has leapfrogged the world by at least ten years in its approach to living in harmony with the planet.
He stressed that future societies must be built around humans and social relationships, not just technology.
In turn, Fares Saeid confirmed that the future of cities is moving towards a 'post-AI' phase, where technology will save time and resources for people, allowing them to focus on culture, arts, and human connection.
Saeid clarified that in its new concept, sustainability is not limited to energy, water, and food, but also includes society, education, and care for different segments of the population, with people of determination at the forefront.
Saeid recalled the saying of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai: 'The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it,' which forms the intellectual framework from which Dubai's sustainability projects emanate. He confirmed that this leadership approach has enabled the emirate to transform into a global laboratory for future experiments and to build cities that place humanity and quality of life at the forefront.
Will Smith concluded the session with an impactful human message, calling on the audience to pay attention to those around them and to remember that everyone is facing hidden challenges. He said a simple moment of empathy could be part of the solution, emphasizing that humanity will not succeed in facing future challenges if people do not cooperate and support one another.
The fourth Billion Followers Summit is generating significant momentum, with over 30,000 attendees, more than 15,000 Arab and international content creators and influencers, and over 500 speakers with a combined following of over 3.5 billion. The summit is hosting 150 CEOs and global experts across its sessions and dialogues and features more than 580 main sessions, roundtables, interactive dialogues, and workshops.
