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LOS ANGELES — Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, identified language as the single greatest obstacle between global creators and audiences, emphasizing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be the key to dismantling these barriers.
Speaking at the Milken Global Conference 2026 held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Mohan shared his insights on the future of entertainment. "In the landscape of global services like YouTube, the most significant remaining barrier is likely language," Mohan stated during a panel discussion.
He predicted that the rise of AI-powered tools, such as automated dubbing and real-time translation, would further accelerate cross-border collaboration and content consumption, which has already become a standard in the digital age.
The Rise of Global Content
To illustrate the power of borderless content, Mohan cited the success of YouTube megastar MrBeast’s "Squid Game" recreations and the explosive global trajectory of K-pop. He specifically noted that YouTube’s live-streaming capabilities played a pivotal role in making K-pop a "mainstream phenomenon" at major international music festivals like Coachella.
Beyond Hollywood
The discussion also highlighted the shifting dynamics of the global film and television industry. Dominic Ng, Chairman of East West Bank, who joined Mohan on the panel, pointed to the overwhelming dominance of South Korean content.
"More than 80% of Netflix subscribers are watching Korean content," Ng observed. He added that this trend is expanding to other Asia-Pacific regions, including Taiwan and Thailand.
Ng concluded with a visionary take on the industry's evolution: "Hollywood no longer needs to be confined to American culture. We have entered an era where any authentic and compelling story can be distributed to every corner of the world."
The Milken Global Conference, often referred to as the "Davos of the West," continues to serve as a premier annual gathering for global leaders in finance, technology, and policy to discuss pressing economic and social issues.
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