As this year’s BRIDGE Summit 2025 brought global attention to how Gen Z is reshaping media, culture, and digital influence, Khaleej Times joined the three-day gathering to engage directly with the conversations defining the future of storytelling. With Chief Content Officer Ted Kemp leading multiple sessions and the brand connecting with thousands of young attendees throughout the event, BRIDGE offered a timely backdrop for Khaleej Times to spotlight the momentum of its KT+150 youth initiative and the innovators behind it.

Held at ADNEC Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December, the BRIDGE Summit drew thousands of participants, and a host of speakers and emerging voices from around the world. Kemp moderated key sessions, including Winning Back Gen Z One Swipe at a Time, which examined how news organisations can evolve their storytelling to earn relevance and trust among younger audiences.

The themes shaping BRIDGE — authenticity, new media behaviours, and youth-driven influence — mirror the purpose behind Khaleej Times’ KT+150 platform, launched earlier this year to highlight the UAE’s boldest young changemakers. Just two weeks before BRIDGE, the inaugural KT+150 Summit brought together 150 innovators for a day of learning, networking, and idea-building.

“At BRIDGE, the conversations around Gen Z and the future of storytelling echoed everything we’ve seen through KT+150. Young audiences are rewriting the rules on how they consume information, who they trust, and how they want to participate. The KT+150 Summit brought those ideas to life here in the UAE, and BRIDGE showed that this shift is global. Our job now is to make sure their voices have room to grow.”

A key highlight of the KT+150 Summit was the Elevator Pitch competition, offering young entrepreneurs Dh250,000 in media coverage across Khaleej Times platforms. Over 20 entries were received, with three finalists showcased throughout the day. Dhana Abdul Fathah, an 18-year-old environmental science student at the American University of Sharjah, was named the winner for her innovative self-charging power bank and received 250,000 Emirates Skywards Miles.

By taking part in BRIDGE Summit 2025 and continuing to build momentum around the KT+150 programme, Khaleej Times is expanding its work with young creators, thinkers, and entrepreneurs, and opening more spaces where they can experiment, be heard, and shape the next chapter of the UAE’s media and innovation landscape.

Launched in October, the KT+150 List recognises 150 changemakers across 15 industries  including AI, education, esports, food, sustainability, social impact, and real estate, and continues to serve as a catalyst for youth-led innovation in the UAE.