Global tech leaders meet in Abu Dhabi for BRIDGE Summit 2025

Artificial intelligence took center stage at BRIDGE Summit 2025 as industry leaders outlined how new systems are being built into communication tools, consumer platforms and media production. The sessions at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi featured speakers from Meta, Yango, Huawei, and HeyGen.

Meta’s Vice President for EMEA, Derya Matras, said AI is beginning to influence daily communication and work patterns. She pointed to developments in AR and wearable technology and noted that progress depends on long-term investment in model infrastructure. Matras said personal agents delivered through devices such as smart glasses could handle translation, contextual displays, and hands-free interaction.

Yango Group CEO Daniil Shuleyko discussed changing consumer expectations as AI becomes part of commercial services. With Yango active in mapping and ride-hailing in the UAE, he said users now look for intelligence built directly into core product functions instead of being treated as an add-on.

Huawei’s Shi Ri, CTO of the ISP & Media Business Unit, explained how cloud systems and media large models are reshaping production workflows. He described integrated platforms that draw on story libraries and audiovisual datasets. Shi said future operations depend on hybrid cloud structures combining public capacity, private governance systems and edge processing supported by adequate computing power.

HeyGen Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Wayne Liang introduced the company’s AI-generated video tools, including a digital version of himself for multilingual communication. He cited examples from McDonald’s, Klaviyo and Apple TV, which use HeyGen to localize material and reduce production timelines. Liang also presented interactive avatars designed for real-time use.

BRIDGE Summit 2025 runs from 8 to 10 December and includes more than 300 sessions featuring speakers and participants from multiple sectors.