New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued a directive to city agencies to evaluate how they can further incorporate language technologies into their day-to-day interactions with the public to improve communication with all New Yorkers, including non-English-speaking communities. To start, the city is planning to install language apps on all city-owned smart devices — more than 100,000 in total — to make city services more accessible to New Yorkers as part of the City of New York’s push to become the most language-friendly city on the globe.
The New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) will provide support to city agencies to facilitate downloads and usage of tools like Google Translate and Apple’s built-in Translate app, while continuing to evaluate advances in technology to ensure effective, safe, and quality communications. Additionally, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) will immediately begin using language technology to communicate with New Yorkers they interact with on a day-to-day basis, while New York City Public Schools has begun development on Hello, a new app to help bridge language gaps that will be rolled out in the spring of 2026.
“This is a global city, where you can hear over 175 languages spoken on every street, every store, and every stoop. That is why we are issuing a directive to our city agencies that will make it possible to expand the use of language apps in their work,” said Mayor Adams.
“Our administration has made it clear that we need to use every tool we have to meet New Yorkers wherever they are; for me, that mission has always been personal. Growing up in a community full of immigrants, like my own, I learned firsthand how important it is for the government to speak to every person, with every tool, in every language. But, too often, language and cultural barriers have made it hard for our city’s residents to understand what’s happening in their neighborhood, to learn what resources are available, and to know where to turn for help in a crisis,” said Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy.
“The Adams administration has ushered New York City into the 21st century with bold technology strategies that make city services and benefits more accessible to all New Yorkers,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew C. Fraser.
“Language should never be a barrier to safety or access to city services,” said New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Louis A. Molina.
“Clear communication is essential to public safety,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “Our officers interact with New Yorkers who speak dozens of different languages, often in situations where time and understanding matter. Expanding access to real-time translation tools helps officers communicate more clearly, respond more effectively, and better serve the people who need help.”
