At the WAVES Summit 2025, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan emphasized India’s emergence as a vibrant hub for digital creativity, announcing a substantial investment of ₹850 crore aimed at bolstering the nation’s creator economy. His remarks highlighted that over 15,000 Indian YouTube channels have now surpassed the one million subscriber mark, showcasing India’s significant influence on the global digital content landscape.
Major Investment in India’s Creator Economy
- Investment Announcement: YouTube’s ₹850 crore commitment over the next two years is designed to enhance the growth and global reach of India’s creator community.
- Financial Support: Mohan revealed that YouTube has disbursed over ₹21,000 crore to Indian creators in the past three years, underscoring the platform’s dedication to fostering homegrown talent.
During the event, Mohan described India as not just a leader in music and film but as a “creator nation,” emphasizing the role of YouTube in global storytelling. He remarked, “India isn’t just leading in music and film; it’s now a creator nation.”
Insights from Influential Creators
The summit also featured discussions from globally recognized content creators, including Mark Rober and Gautami Kawale. Kawale articulated the importance of culturally rooted content, noting its authenticity and ability to resonate with audiences worldwide. She underscored that storytelling steeped in Indian traditions fosters a universal appeal that bridges cultural divides.
Rober, known for his innovative STEM videos, highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on educational content. He drew attention to AI-driven dubbing and localization as pivotal in breaking down language barriers, allowing creators to reach diverse audiences across the globe.
A Vision for the Future
In support of India’s ascent as a creative powerhouse, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen referred to the country as the “world’s next creative superpower.” He pointed to a flourishing digital ecosystem with over 100 million creators and 500 million consumers of OTT content as evidence of this trend. Narayen noted that digital tools and generative AI, including Adobe’s new Firefly AI models, are empowering a new generation of Indian innovators, reshaping the future of global creativity.
