NYC mayor consolidates tech offices, expands role of CTO

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signed an executive order consolidating the leadership of offices of technology and innovation. 

Previously, the areas and offices focused on technology and innovation reported to various deputy mayors. Now, that oversight is consolidated under the existing Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), which has also been re-designated the “Office of Technology and Innovation.”

Adams has committed to revamping tech in New York City, both from a city services perspective and mitigating the challenges of doing business in the city. It’s unclear how those goals will come to fruition, and if crypto will play a more significant role.

So far, no mention of crypto has been made in the documents related to the Office of Technology and Innovation. However, Adams has said he wants to make the city “crypto friendly,” and he’s already committed to taking his first three paychecks in bitcoin.

The city’s disparate offices of Cyber Command, Data Analytics and Information Privacy will all be consolidated under the new office. Their respective directors will now report to the CTO. The Algorithms Management and Policy Officer has been abolished since the new office will govern the algorithm use across city offices. 

“Any additional appropriate actions, including but not limited to the transfer of employees, to be taken in furtherance of the consolidation set forth in this Section shall be taken as soon as practicable after the promulgation of this Order,” said the order.

The head of the office, once the Commissioner of Information Technology and Telecommunications, is now the city’s Chief Technology Officer and report to the First Deputy Mayor. The previous office name and title will still be used in situations that legally require them.

Adams appointed Matt Fraser as CTO back in December, when the role was more limited in scope. He was previously with the New York City Police Department as its deputy commissioner for information technology. Prior to working with the NYPD, he worked at the DoITT as deputy commissioner of IT. 

“The Office of Technology and Innovation will streamline technology operations across the city and revolutionize how New York City does business, as well as how the city provides services to its residents and visitors,” he said in a statement.