Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC, joins the Newcomer Podcast to discuss the growing intersection of technology and politics. Samuels has spent years at the center of New York’s tech ecosystem, working with founders and policymakers as the industry becomes a larger force in public policy.
Eric and Julie talk about tensions between the tech industry and progressive politics, including the rise of Zohran Mamdani and how tech leaders are navigating a shifting political landscape. They also discuss Trump-era tech politics, efforts to modernize government with technology, New York’s Empire AI initiative, and debates around wealth taxes, billionaire flight, and the energy demands of AI data centers.
Julie also explains the work Tech:NYC does behind the scenes to advocate for the industry while trying to bridge the growing gap between technologists and the public.
Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping technology, venture capital, and policy.
#AI #TechPolicy #NewYorkPolitics #VentureCapital
🎙️ New episodes every week! Subscribe and turn on notifications to stay ahead of the next big story.
👇 Watch more from The Newcomer Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Yg1id5olJMOyUnYF5AZnIo2ZXdyYd-L
🔗 Read more at newcomer.co
🐦 Follow us: @NewcomerMedia
If you want honest, insider analysis from the heart of tech and venture capital…you’re in the right place.
Chapters:
00:00 “DOGE With Empathy”
00:16 Meet Julie Samuels
01:22 Mamdani Meets Trump
01:45 Tech and Platform Politics
04:09 Google Employees Back Mamdani
06:26 What Tech:NYC Does
07:35 Tech’s Policy Alignment
08:23 Tech Policy, Housing, Transit & Safety
10:42 Politicians Winning Tech Back
14:31 Tech in Government & Schools
23:43 Will Taxes Push Tech Out?
24:34 California Wealth Tax and Billionaire Flight
26:01 Albany Budget: No New Taxes
26:50 Hochul’s Empire AI Plan
29:45 Aligning AI Rules With California
30:45 Data Center Backlash
33:14 Teaching Nonprofits AI
35:58 Demystifying AI for Everyone
38:46 Tech Politics in the Trump Era
41:57 New York’s Civic Tech Future