Mayor Eric Adams plans to utilize AI and blockchain technology to improve city services

Mayor Eric Adams announced his intention to incorporate advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, into city operations should he secure a second term. He emphasized a vision of transforming New York City into a smarter city to enhance service delivery for residents.

“We have the opportunity now to leverage everything from AI to blockchain—cutting-edge tools that can make our city more efficient and ensure that working-class communities receive proper services,” Adams stated.

One initiative under consideration is using blockchain to expedite the issuance of vital documents such as birth and death certificates, streamlining processes for the public. Additionally, the city aims to deploy AI-driven translation services to support multilingual communication, particularly in emergency situations where voice-controlled drones might be used to assist victims during search-and-rescue operations.

Adams has been a proponent of digital currencies since taking office in 2022, with aspirations for New York City to become a leading hub for cryptocurrency. Demonstrating his commitment, he agreed to receive his first three paychecks in Bitcoin. His annual mayoral salary of $258,750 was reported to have fluctuated in value from $5,000 to nearly $55,000 in his 2024 financial disclosures.