Cuomo proposes chief innovation officer to lead NYC’s AI adoption

Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that if elected New York City mayor, his administration will create a chief innovation officer position to lead the city’s adoption of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies across government agencies. The senior-level role would coordinate emerging technology initiatives and help position New York as a global leader in the innovation economy, as Cuomo runs as an independent candidate against Democrat Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November 4 election.

What you should know: The chief innovation officer would serve as a senior administration position responsible for modernizing city government through emerging technologies.

• The role would lead efforts to support emerging industries, foster public-private collaboration, and help city agencies harness new technologies to improve services and efficiency.
• The position would coordinate work among existing city agencies, including the Office of Technology and Innovation and the New York City Economic Development Council, around AI and government efficiency initiatives.
• The officer would also focus on attracting investment and jobs from high-growth industries while ensuring innovation benefits all city residents.

Recent context: Current Mayor Eric Adams, who is not seeking reelection, recently announced the creation of a new Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology housed under the Office of Technology and Innovation.

• The new office aims to bolster the city’s cryptocurrency and blockchain industry presence.
• Cuomo’s proposed innovation officer would help coordinate these existing efforts under a unified leadership structure.

The broader vision: Cuomo’s plan includes establishing an Innovation Council comprised of leaders from emerging tech fields to support the chief innovation officer.

• The council would help fill the chief innovation officer position by making recommendations and advise on policy development, industry standards, and consumer protections.
• The initiative would steer coordination among business, labor, academia, and community groups to ensure equitable technology adoption.

What he’s saying: Cuomo emphasized New York’s historical leadership role in driving innovation and economic progress.

• “New York has always been the city that leads,” Cuomo said in a news release. “We built the tallest skyscrapers, became the financial center of the world and were the birthplace for the labor movement, the civil rights movement and the LGBTQ rights movement.”
• “The next Mayor must make sure we’re also leading in the technologies that will define the next century — AI, blockchain, and biotech. That’s what this position is about: Keeping New York City not just competitive, but dominant in the global innovation economy.”

Election dynamics: Cuomo faces an uphill battle in the mayoral race, with polling showing his Democratic opponent leading by significant margins.

• All major general polls show Mamdani leads by a margin of at least 11 points ahead of the November 4 election.
• Cuomo is running as an independent candidate, competing against both Democratic and Republican nominees in the three-way race.