Why do we need connections?
It’s a simple question with a profound answer. Connections make life worth living. They bring us joy, fulfillment, and a sense of meaning. They remind us that we’re not alone, that we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves. In a world that can sometimes feel cold and indifferent, genuine connections are the warmth that reminds us of the beauty of being human.
Hi everyone, I’m Ian. I’d like to take you on a journey—my journey—from a small island known as the ‘Little Red Dot,’ to a global stage where technology and human connection are intersecting to redefine our world. I represent BIGO Technology, a company that believes in using technology not just to connect people, but to forge meaningful connections.
This isn’t just about building another app. It’s about answering a fundamental question: Why do we do it?
The answer is for people like Mai, a single mother from Egypt. Livestreaming on our platform gave her a stage, but it was her genuine personality and incredible cooking skills that captivated a global audience. The supportive community she found gave her the encouragement to turn her passion into a profession, transforming her life. Without this platform, without this community, her talent might have never reached beyond her own kitchen. Mai’s story is our “why.” It’s about using technology to empower people, build communities, and create connections that have a real-world impact.
Over our ten-year journey, we’ve learned countless lessons. Today, I want to share the five key ideas that form the pillars of how we build our digital world.
Pillar 1: Glocalisation – Think Global, Act Local
To connect the world, you must first understand it. We operate in over 150 countries, and what we’ve learned is that community is not a monolith. Every culture has its own style, its own needs, its own heartbeat. We call our approach “Glocalisation.”
This means we listen, we adapt, and we celebrate what makes each place unique. Our 30 regional offices are not just for sales; they are our ears to the ground. They help us understand what our communities truly desire.
- Viewers want entertainment.
- Creators seek fame and incentives.
- Supporters want to feel a sense of belonging.
- Patrons desire appreciation for their contributions.
By understanding these diverse needs, we can cultivate local talent, organize culturally relevant events, and support creators from the ground up. Our “Summer Vibe Campaign” in Saudi Arabia, for instance, wasn’t a generic global event. It was a virtual exploration of local traditions and tales, inviting users to share their own summer experiences and fostering a genuine cultural exchange.
This is our secret sauce: knowing and respecting local cultures is what allows us to build a global family where everyone feels truly at home.
Pillar 2: Come for Content, Stay for Community
“Come for the Content, Stay for the Community” is more than a tagline; it’s our core operational strategy. The strongest human motive is to belong. While exciting content may attract a user, it’s the feeling of being part of a tribe that makes them stay.
We’ve engineered our platform around this principle by creating “Families.” These are more than just group chats; they are micro-communities where creators and their supporters forge deep bonds.
Why? Because these Families provide three essential emotional pillars: Appreciation, Belonging, and Support. Creators feel their work is valued, supporters feel a sense of ownership in a creator’s success, and everyone feels the safety of belonging to a group that has their back. This is where online friendships blossom into real-life bonds, with users organizing everything from local picnics to international trips to meet their digital family in person.
Pillar 3: Humanize Virtual Proximity
Our goal is to make technology feel less… technological. We want our users to feel like they’re hanging out in the same room, not staring at a screen miles apart. We call this “Humanizing Virtual Proximity.”
We use smart tech, including AI, not to replace human interaction, but to enhance it—to make online conversations feel as real and warm as meeting face-to-face.
Look at Mary, a top host who has built a thriving community for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). She creates content that feels like a taste of home, a sanctuary for those living abroad. She doesn’t just broadcast; she listens, she engages, and she treats her viewers like family. She organizes real-life meetups for when they are back in the Philippines. Mary’s ability to create a space that feels like one big, warm hangout session is the embodiment of our mission. For communities like the global Filipino audience, our platform becomes more than an app—it’s a home away from home.
Pillar 4: Create an Authentic and Safe Space
You cannot have a thriving community without safety. Meaningful connection is impossible without trust. This is non-negotiable.
We’ve built a fortress of safety using a dual approach:
- Advanced Technology: We employ sophisticated AI for 24/7, real-time content moderation across all streams, watching over videos and chats to ensure a secure environment.
- Human Touch: We have on-the-ground teams that our stakeholders can reach out to directly if they feel unsafe or targeted.
This safe space allows incredible stories like Karima’s to unfold. Born without the use of her arms, Karima is a phenomenal artist who faced immense societal barriers. On our platform, her art classes became a global stage for advocacy, showing the world that disability does not define talent. The BIGO Live community embraced her art and her spirit. Without this protected environment, her powerful voice might have been silenced by negativity. Instead, she is thriving, challenging perceptions, and inspiring millions.
Pillar 5: Fame-as-a-Service – Meaningful Gamification
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we recognize that the desire for social capital is a universal human driver. We all want to be recognized. On our platform, we’ve tapped into this by offering what we call “Fame-as-a-Service.”
However, this is not about handing out participation trophies. In a world of digital abundance, the true scarcity is meaningful attention and recognition. If everyone can achieve a certain status, it’s no longer a status at all.
Our system is different because it’s a meritocracy. Just like an athlete training for the Olympics, talent on our platform requires proof of work. Fame is earned through skill, dedication, and the ability to connect with an audience. This taps directly into Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for esteem and belonging. The annual BIGO Awards Gala—held this year in Las Vegas—is the culmination of this, a grand celebration where we recognize and reward the incredible talent from across our global community.
By offering a space where creativity and skill lead to real social capital, we create a hub of sustained engagement and growth.
Looking Ahead: The Future is Human
As we stand on the cusp of a new AI-driven era, the nature of connection is evolving once again. A future of AI friends and mixed-reality content will challenge us to rethink what is real. In this new world, authenticity will be our most valuable currency.
We believe AI can be a powerful tool to enhance social bonds, but it can never replace the warmth of a real human connection. Our commitment, now more than ever, is to be a platform that champions genuine, unedited moments.
No matter how technology changes, our core mission remains the same: to bring people together by creating ‘meaningful’ connections. That is the heart of what we do. And that is the future we are building.
