logo
UiPath names Romanian Olympic Swimming Champion David Popovici as Global Ambassador

UiPath names Romanian Olympic Swimming Champion David Popovici as Global Ambassador

Zawya21 hours ago
Dubai, UAE – UiPath (NYSE: PATH), a global leader in agentic automation, today announced that it has named Romanian Olympic swimming champion David Popovici a Global Ambassador. In this capacity, Popovici will be attending and speaking at several UiPath events globally. The partnership, spanning four years, will support the young athlete throughout his preparation for the biggest European and world swimming competitions, culminating with the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
A freestyle swimming specialist, the 20-year-old Bucharest-born David Popovici broke into the elite swimming scene with a standout performance at the 2022 World Championships. Then aged 17, Popovici became the first male swimmer in 49 years to win the 100m and 200m freestyle at the same World Championships. He also became the second-youngest swimmer ever to win the men's 200m world title.
Popovici went on to win gold in the 200m and the 100m freestyle at the 2022 European Championships, becoming the second-youngest male swimmer ever to break the 100m freestyle world record, while also setting a new world junior record in the 200m race.
In 2024, Popovici went on to improve on a fourth-place ranking in the 200m freestyle race at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the same race. He also won a bronze medal in the men's 100m freestyle final.
Currently, Popovici is training towards his third consecutive Olympic Games and will next compete in the Singapore 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
'What makes David a champion isn't just raw talent — it's his ability to bring together every element that drives excellence: discipline, mindset, training, recovery, and the will to do it all over again. That kind of integration is what unlocks true performance. I see a similar principle in how we think about the future of technology: real breakthroughs happen when you combine the right parts — people, technology, and intelligence — into something greater than the sum of its parts. At UiPath, while we're shaping what technology can do, we're just as focused on the humans behind it. Our vision of agentic orchestration is about uniting people, AI agents, models, and robots into a cohesive system — just like David brings together every part of his craft. He's the perfect embodiment of the harmony between precision, perseverance, and purpose,' said UiPath Co-Founder and CEO Daniel Dines.
"I am delighted to share my journey with a partner who genuinely understands what it takes to excel in one's field. As a sportsman, I know firsthand that achieving global success requires hard work, discipline, unwavering motivation and the belief that you can win every time. UiPath is a place where innovative ideas are supported, where everyone is encouraged to express their creativity and contribute to developing the best technology in the world. It feels natural to partner with UiPath, a strong brand with a global impact that has remained true to its roots. We share much of the same journey, and this partnership goes beyond support – it's built on trust and shared values, representing a big source of inspiration to me," said Olympic champion David Popovici.
Between September 29 – October 1st, 2025, UiPath will hold the first edition of UiPath FUSION, a high-touch, high-tech, white-glove event for the most passionate and innovative members of the UiPath ecosystem. David Popovici will join UiPath Co-Founder and CEO Daniel Dines on stage during the event.
About UiPath
UiPath (NYSE: PATH) is a global leader in agentic automation, empowering enterprises to harness the full potential of AI agents to autonomously execute and optimize complex business processes. The UiPath Platform™ uniquely combines controlled agency, developer flexibility, and seamless integration to help organizations scale agentic automation safely and confidently. Committed to security, governance, and interoperability, UiPath supports enterprises as they transition into a future where automation delivers on the full potential of AI to transform industries.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Can the Middle East, Europe replace China in driving luxury fashion demand?
Can the Middle East, Europe replace China in driving luxury fashion demand?

Gulf Business

time2 hours ago

  • Gulf Business

Can the Middle East, Europe replace China in driving luxury fashion demand?

Image: Image for illustrative purposes/ BAV TAiLOR/ Arab Fashion Week Europe is the global epicentre of fashion, blending cultural heritage, luxury craftsmanship, and design innovation. However, over the last plus two decades, China and Chinese consumers have dominated demand in the fashion and luxury segment. Post Covid, this dominance has started to recede, as China grapples with slowing economic growth, falling property prices, changing demographics and falling income levels. Leading European and other global brands are pivoting away from China; however, till recently, they were not able to find a direct substitute for Chinese consumer demand. The US as a market remains a guessing game for these brands due to the dangling sword of tariffs and depleted savings. India has potential but it is probably too early to count it as a meaningful substitute, as GDP per capita is still below $3,000 (nominal, 2025 est). This brings us to the question; can Europe along with the The Middle East is increasing in importance, as affluent, ultra-high net-worth consumers make the region their home. As anecdotal evidence, LVMH, Hermes and few other iconic brands have started to create special collections for the UAE and Saudi Arabia customers and may offer exclusive products tailored to the region. Historically, higher oil prices, fashion and luxury have shown some positive correlation, as shown in the below chart from start date of 2019 to middle of 2022. This trend, in our view, may play out again in the future in the Middle East and therefore push up demand for fashion and luxury. Europe is also potentially back in focus as a possible consumer market. Falling rates and the prospect of large fiscal stimulus could act as a positive trigger to rising disposable income, which in turn often leads to greater spending on fashion and luxury. Other key fashion retail trends impacting the global luxury sector 1. Retailers pivoting to Europe amid rising US tariffs: Growing numbers of retailers and consumer brands are shifting their focus to Europe and other markets from the US, as they expect US tariffs to spark price hikes that will drive American consumer demand down. German clothing brand Hugo Boss has already rerouted China manufactured products away from the US and observed a notable slowdown in American consumer spending. European online fashion retailer Zalando reported a rise in inquiries from global brands looking to expand within Europe, citing declining US demand due to expected price hikes. Adidas noted that while 20 per cent of its revenue comes from the US, it aims to regain momentum in other markets like Europe to compensate for potential losses. This geographic diversification reflects a broader industry pivot toward Europe. 2. Nearshoring gains momentum —Turkey and Tunisia lead Europe's strategic shift: European apparel brands are increasingly shifting toward nearshoring strategies, with Turkey and Tunisia emerging as key sourcing hubs. In 2023, Turkey's share of textile and apparel exports to Europe rose to 6 per cent, surpassing Vietnam, as over 25 per cent of European brands viewed Turkey as a critical partner. Major players like Inditex, H&M, Boohoo, and Asos have expanded operations in the country to ensure supply chain agility and regional responsiveness. Simultaneously, Europe is strengthening ties with Tunisia through a landmark MoU signed in April 2025 between EURATEX and FTTH, which reinforces industrial cooperation and supply chain integration. With EUR2.5bn in textile exports to the EU in 2024, Tunisia is positioned as a strategic nearshoring partner supporting the EU's goals of sustainability, resilience, and reduced dependency on distant markets. 3. Regulatory simplification and compliance realignment: The European Commission's Omnibus simplification package, presented in February, introduces key changes to sustainability-related legislation impacting the textile value chain, including the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and CS3D (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive). The reforms aim to reduce compliance costs and streamline reporting requirements, particularly benefiting SMEs by limiting excessive data requests from large buyers. This shift reflects the EU's broader effort to balance regulatory ambition with business practicality, offering an opportunity for well-positioned textile firms to gain competitive advantage through transparent, cost-effective ESG strategies. 4. Circularity compliance reshaping the EU textile industry: New EU regulations are accelerating a fundamental shift towards circular business models in the textile sector. With the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Waste Framework Directive, and Waste Shipments Regulation now in force, companies must prepare for mandatory eco-design, supply chain traceability, and end-of-life accountability. The writer is a senior advisor and the head of Equity Investments at Abbey Road Investment Group.

Middle East spearheading $600bln global sports market growth
Middle East spearheading $600bln global sports market growth

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Middle East spearheading $600bln global sports market growth

The Middle East is fast becoming one of the most influential players in global sports, according to global management consultancy Kearney's latest report, From passion to profit: unlocking value in sports. As the region experiences a rapid and sustained growth rate across key segments, it is emerging as a major force in the global sports industry, driving innovation and investment that are reshaping the sector's future. With the global sports market expected to hit over $600 billion by 2030, the region is driving a transformation fueled by strategic investment, forward-looking policy, and technology-enabled innovation. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is emerging as a global benchmark, combining world-class hosting with systemic reform and sector-wide development. The momentum is visible across multiple fronts. On the global stage, the region has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for high-profile events: hosting everything from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Dubai Tennis Championships and soon, the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia. These events are not just about spectacle; they signal a strategic effort to position the region at the heart of global sporting calendars, said the report. Behind the scenes, infrastructure investment is accelerating. Governments across the Middle East are committing billions to develop next-generation stadiums, elite training academies, and integrated digital platforms. Saudi Arabia has allocated significant budgets toward sports infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030 agenda, while the UAE and Qatar continue to grow their ecosystems for high-performance sports and global talent attraction. Following an announcement by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Dubai will host the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025, further reinforcing the region's growing influence on the global sports stage, stated the report. According to Kearney, the region is also pushing hard into digital-native sectors, with esports emerging as a focal point. Saudi Arabia's $38 billion investment to become a global hub for gaming is emblematic of a wider regional effort to tap into younger demographics through streaming, immersive content, and competitive gaming platforms. This youth-centric focus is being mirrored in broader fan engagement strategies across the ME, it stated. Women's participation is another key area of growth. New professional women's football leagues in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are expanding access and visibility, while initiatives across schools and communities are driving higher levels of inclusion. In Saudi Arabia alone, female participation in sport has increased by 150% since the launch of Vision 2030, an indicator of how deeply sports are being woven into the region's social fabric. Kearney's report highlights five key growth levers that organizations can use capture a greater share of future growth. These are: *Commercial excellence: maximizing revenue across media rights, sponsorship, matchday, merchandise, and talent monetization *Fan engagement and insights: using data to understand fan behavior, personalize content, and increase loyalty and spend *Platform expansion: building or partnering with streaming and digital platforms to deliver richer, more monetizable fan experiences *Technology-driven innovation: applying tech across advertising, ticketing, content, and performance to unlock new revenue streams and efficiencies and *Operational efficiency: adopting business best practices to reduce costs, streamline operations, and professionalize structures "What distinguishes the Middle East is its forward-looking approach. Free from legacy constraints, the region is innovating at scale: from Riyadh's Sports Boulevard and Qatar's integrated World Cup infrastructure to the UAE's growing ecosystem of digital fan platforms," said Mohamed Hashem, Partner, Sports Lead for MEA at Kearney. "Rather than replicating Western models, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sport with broader economic and societal ambitions," he added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

ADIB advances sustainable finance agenda with $4.7bln in sustainable finance mobilised
ADIB advances sustainable finance agenda with $4.7bln in sustainable finance mobilised

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

ADIB advances sustainable finance agenda with $4.7bln in sustainable finance mobilised

ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has reported the mobilisation of over AED17 billion in sustainable finance as of year-end 2024, marking continued progress toward its AED60 billion sustainable finance commitment by 2030. This update coincides with the release of ADIB's 2024 Sustainability Report, which details material advancements in climate alignment, ESG governance, and inclusive growth in line with UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy and UAE 2031 vision. This year's report highlights key achievements, including the publication of ADIB's first sector-specific financed emissions targets, making it the first Islamic bank in the region to set such interim 2030 targets. These cover six high-emission sectors, such as real estate, utilities, and home finance, aligned with IEA Net Zero scenarios and the UAE's national decarbonisation strategy. As part of its commitment to international best practices, ADIB also conducted a double materiality assessment in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to evaluate both the financial and societal impacts of its activities, a critical step to understand the material impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) on the economy, environment, and people. ADIB's Double Materiality Assessment was performed within the context of each of the ESRS topical standards, covering environmental, social, and governance issues. ADIB also published its inaugural Green Sukuk allocation and impact report for its US$500 million Green Sukuk issuance. As of December 2024, 90 percent of proceeds have been allocated toward renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable water infrastructure, contributing to over 607,000 tonnes of estimated annual avoided emissions. Operationally, ADIB reported an 87 percent drop in Scope 1 emissions compared to 2022 and a 3.51 percent reduction in Scope 2. These improvements reflect continued investments in energy efficiency, electrification, and operational optimisation across the Group. Commenting on this, Mohamed Abdelbary, Group Chief Executive Officer at ADIB, said, 'Putting sustainability at the heart of what we do is one of the three key pillars of our 2035 vision. We're proud of the progress we're making, and how we're using our financing to contribute to the transition of our customers and the economy. Our latest sustainability disclosures reflect our steadfast commitment to ethical, inclusive, and climate-aligned banking. From leading the region in green sukuk to setting the benchmark on sectoral decarbonisation, we are taking decisive steps toward a low-carbon future. Abdelbary added, 'Our double materiality assessment reinforces ADIB's commitment to credible, decision-useful disclosure. It ensures we understand not only how sustainability impacts our business but how our business impacts the environment, society and economy. This is central to how we plan, report and act. ADIB continued to strengthen its social impact agenda in, achieving a 44 percent Emiratisation rate, with women comprising 72 percent of UAE national hires and 39 percent of the total workforce.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store