New York City has always been at the forefront of technological change—shaping the most important industries across the United States and the world. New Yorkers revolutionized finance with the founding of the New York Stock Exchange in 1792 and reshaped media with the first news ticker in Times Square in 1928. Now, as artificial intelligence accelerates breakthroughs across industries, New York has the opportunity to be the global leader in the next great technological frontier—an opportunity the city’s business community must heed.
Many of the city’s business leaders are already harnessing AI to drive growth. Wall Street firms are leveraging AI to optimize trading strategies, detect fraud, and manage risk. Media companies are deploying machine learning to assist with investigative reporting and to provide better news recommendations to their readers. In health care, AI is improving diagnostics and advancing personalized medicine.
The convergence of these sectors gives New York a unique advantage in shaping AI’s future while the U.S.’s leadership in AI is challenged by global competitors. The emergence of DeepSeek presents a warning about what an AI future led by China may look like. To secure our global leadership and facilitate safe, ethical use of new technologies, the U.S. must make serious investments in AI research, infrastructure, and workforce development. New York, with its deep history of innovative leadership, is stepping up to meet this moment.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Empire AI initiative, launched last April, is a first-of-its-kind effort to establish New York as a national leader in AI research and development. This initiative brings together six of the country’s premier higher education institutions—City University of New York, Cornell University, Columbia University, New York University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the State University of New York—to create a major AI research hub in upstate New York. The goal is to advance cutting-edge AI research, develop practical applications across industries, and position the state as a driving force in AI innovation.
These investments in AI research must be matched by equally strong commitments to education and workforce development. Many higher education institutions are following New York’s lead, such as Vanderbilt University establishing an “Initiative on the Future of Learning & Generative AI” as they seek to expand their footprint in New York City.
Preparing the workforce for the AI-driven economy is just as critical as advancing the technology itself. Without a skilled workforce, the potential of AI will remain untapped, limiting the impact of even the most groundbreaking innovations. By fostering partnerships between government, universities, and the private sector, New York is shaping a national
AI ecosystem that ensures both innovation and opportunity reach beyond research labs and into the workforce.
New York’s AI expansion presents a significant opportunity for corporate leaders looking to stay ahead in this evolving landscape. Businesses that engage with AI research institutions and collaborate with top universities will have access to cutting-edge advancements and a steady pipeline of AI talent. State and federal investments like Empire AI provide funding, infrastructure, and policy support that businesses can leverage for growth and development.
As AI becomes an integral part of the economy, companies that proactively integrate AI into their business strategies will be best positioned to stay competitive. Investing in workforce training and upskilling employees will be essential as AI continues to reshape industries, ensuring that businesses remain agile in an increasingly automated world.
AI represents a new era of technological advancement that New York is poised to lead. By bringing together academia, government, and industry, the state is building a model for AI development that other regions will look to emulate. Corporate leaders who embrace this transformation will not only future-proof their businesses but will also help cement our country’s position as the global leader in AI innovation. The future of AI is being shaped now, and New York is at its center. Those who invest in this moment will not only benefit from being at the forefront of the burgeoning AI economy, they will help define the next chapter of technological progress.
Jon Silvan is founding partner and CEO of Global Strategy Group.
