Speaking at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Lara Trump said social media platforms are fundamentally changing how people access information, as trust in traditional media continues to decline around the world.
Addressing creators, media professionals, and policymakers, Trump argued that digital platforms have empowered individuals to seek alternative sources of news and perspectives, reducing reliance on legacy media outlets. She said this shift has given people greater control over what they consume, but also comes with new risks and responsibilities.
“People are no longer dependent on one or two sources to tell them what’s happening,” she said, noting that social media allows users to hear directly from eyewitnesses, experts, and creators in real time. However, she cautioned that the same openness has made misinformation easier to spread, particularly as technology becomes more sophisticated.
Trump warned that the rise of artificial intelligence has accelerated concerns around deepfakes, manipulated content, and false narratives. She said AI-generated images, audio, and video pose a serious challenge to public trust, as it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish what is real from what is fabricated. Without safeguards, she argued, these tools could be misused to mislead audiences and undermine confidence in information ecosystems.
A key focus of her remarks was the need for stronger protections for children online. Trump called on platforms, policymakers, and technology companies to prioritise child safety, especially as AI-driven content becomes more prevalent. She said younger users are particularly vulnerable to harmful or misleading material and stressed the importance of responsible regulation and parental awareness.
Trump also praised Dubai’s role as a global meeting point for innovation, describing the city as uniquely positioned to host conversations about the future of media, technology, and influence. She said the UAE’s ability to bring together global voices reflects its growing importance in shaping digital and cultural trends.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit has positioned itself as a platform for discussing the power and responsibility of online influence, with this year’s agenda heavily focused on AI, ethics, and the creator economy. Trump’s comments echoed broader concerns raised throughout the event about balancing freedom of expression with accountability in an increasingly digital world.
As social media continues to reshape how information is shared and consumed, speakers at the summit agreed that trust, transparency, and protection – particularly for younger audiences – will be central to the next phase of the digital age.
