Addressing a full NY Tech Meetup audience of over 700 plus attendees representing the New York City tech community, Senator Charles Schumer spoke about the community’s bright future. Noting the growth of the New York tech community thru the support and stewardship of Mayor Bloomberg, Sen. Schumer touched on the important role that incoming Mayor Bill de Blasio will have in taking forward what was built under Mayor Bloomberg.
With some humor directed toward the competition between NYC and Silicon Valley, Sen. Schumer touted NYC’s strength in human capital that will serve to narrow the gap between the two regional technology driven economies. He noted, “1st generation was hardware and softwarebut the 2nd generation is application, taking all of that hardware and all of that software and applying it to so many practical solutions that people need and want. Practical solutions that depend upon human talent, a big broad diversity of human talent that no city has more human talent, more diversity of talent than New York City.” This was well received by the audience that an earlier showing of hands revealed a sizeable portion who were not native New Yorkers or even native born Americansbut all part of the mosaic forming New York City’s tech community. Sen. Schumer touted New York’s magnetic appeal to human and talent diversity as a valuable advantage in where technology is moving.
Sen. Schumer suggested that improvement in New York City infrastructure to be overseen by incoming Mayor DeBlasio will be critical to New York’s economy, “We need better infrastructurewhy shouldn’t we have wi-fi everywhere in New York?” He concluded his remarks by noting key legislative initiatives he has spearheaded that will strengthen the U.S. technology industry and economy. Included was patent reform to counter the detrimental impact of patent trolls and visa reform that would provide foreign students with a more ready pathway to remain in the U.S. and counter the loss of talent occurring as a result of limits imposed by current visa laws.
Senator Schumer stayed for a good portion of the Meetup moderated by Jessica Lawrence, Executive Director, and Nate Westheimer, President of NYTM. The evening included demos and presentations of ten technologies.
