We are pleased to announce that the next ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium (DBS) will be held as an in-person event from 30 March to 2 April 2026 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
With the theme “The Rising Synthetic Era”, DBS 2026 marks a pivotal moment as the broadcasting and media world enters a new chapter shaped by the rise of synthetic intelligence and creative technologies. The theme captures this transformation — where artificial intelligence, automation, and generative tools are evolving from simple assistants into genuine creative partners.
In this emerging landscape, the boundary between what is real and what is synthetic is increasingly blurred. From AI-generated visuals and hyperreal soundscapes to virtual presenters and automated storytelling, synthetic media is redefining how we create, deliver, and experience content. Broadcasters and media professionals are now faced with a critical question: how can we embrace these technologies while remaining authentic, creative, and worthy of our audience’s trust?
DBS 2026 will explore how this “synthetic rise” is transforming every facet of broadcasting — from production and distribution to security, audience engagement, and ethical governance. The symposium aims to inspire and equip the industry to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a future where human imagination and machine intelligence work together to shape the stories of tomorrow.
The event will offer both international and regional exposure to ABU members, broadcasters, and the wider media industry. Each year, DBS attracts over 1,200 participants, including media experts, senior executives, and decision-makers from broadcast and media organisations, regulators, government institutions, academia, solution providers, and other stakeholders from across the region and beyond.
The ABU sincerely appreciates the continued support of all those who contribute to the success of DBS — the speakers, exhibitors, and organisers of workshops and masterclasses. Your participation and commitment are at the heart of what makes this symposium an enduring success.
