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What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – September 26, 2025

Noel Hidalgo

Esperanza is the Spanish word for hope. It comes from esperar—to wait, to hope, to expect. It was also the name of my first babysitter. When Esperanza had her first child, she left work to care for her. In a remarkable twist, my mother—who had joined the US Air Force six months earlier—gave birth to me the very next day. Both women worked in the same military hospital and quickly became close friends. Years later, when my wife and I were expecting our first child, I nicknamed the embryo “Espy,” short for Esperanza.

This week, at the Tech Together conference, Aisha Bain opened with an icebreaker: meet your neighbor by asking about the meaning of their name. I met Michal Szwarc from TechSoup, who told me how his parents saved time by shortening and respelling “Michael.”

The morning keynote by High Commissioner Volker Türk underscored the stakes of our work:

“Human rights are not confined to any segment or economic sector. They are universal… and they need to guide all stages of the design and implementation of new technologies if we are to maximize their benefits for all. A.I. systems that are just, and benefit everyone—including future generations—must be grounded firmly in our universal human rights values, and in the law.”

During the Q&A, Aisha pointed out that Volker Türk could be loosely translated as “defender of the people.” The Commissioner smiled and replied, “Nomen est omen”—the name is a sign. He later described public interest technologists as “defenders of the future.”

That is our charge: to ensure human rights are carried into the digital realm, and that digital equity truly means equity.

Right now, New York City faces a defining test. The Big Apple Connect program—meant to close the digital divide—has also been used to expand NYPD surveillance in NYCHA public spaces, without community awareness or Council oversight. On Tuesday, City Council will hold an oversight hearing.

I will be there to share BetaNYC’s vision for digital equity and public safety. You can add your voice, too—without being in the room. Submit testimony virtually or share written comments through the Council website. 

Related Links:

Noel Hidalgo – Executive Director

Upcoming Events with BetaNYC 🎊

Community Resources 📚

  • William H. Whyte’s cult classic “The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces,” a 1980 documentary about how New Yorkers use their public spaces, will return to the big screen on September 26. 
  • What freedom of speech do we have moving forward? This video showcases how the New York Times has fought and won.
  • Censorship, Capitalism, and Disney+ Ars Technica unpacks how a recent controversy over Jimmy Kimmel and Disney+ shows that consumer backlash and subscription cancellations can still shape media decisions in the streaming era.
  • The tenacity of a New York City street tree. UN General Assembly security includes cutting down this fast-growing tree every year.
  • “RePlaybook: A Field Guide to the Climate and Information Crisis by Tactical Tech. The toolkit moves beyond analysis into action, exactly what the climate and information space needs.” via Ravi Shankar Sreenath on LinkedIn.

This Week in NYC Civic Tech 🗽

This Week in Data, Tech, & Gov News 🏛️

Artificial Intelligence 🤖

  • AI-Designed Viruses on the Rise: MIT Technology Review explores how researchers are using generative AI to create viruses that can kill bacteria, raising big questions about whether AI could eventually design new forms of life.
  • Young Workers Fear AI Job Losses: A new Deutsche Bank survey finds that one in four workers under 35 believe AI could replace their jobs within the next two years, highlighting growing anxiety about automation.

Election 2025 🗳️

  • Housing Advocates Take on Council Power: THE CITY reports on housing groups backing ballot measures that would curb the City Council’s ability to block development projects, a move they say could reshape housing policy.
  • Vital City’s Housing Issue: The latest issue of Vital City dives deep into New York’s housing landscape, exploring the history, opportunities, and conflicting visions that shape today’s debates.
  • Tech Mayor: Build Tech In-House: In the third installment of Tech Mayor, Art Chang argues that New York City should build more of its technology in-house to deliver faster, fairer, and more affordable public services.

Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼 

Upcoming Events 📅

Note: All times are listed in EDT

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