##  NYC's AI Boom: From Wall Street Quants to Startup Hub

While Silicon Valley dominates tech breakthroughs, New York City is emerging as a powerhouse for **applied AI**, with a diverse ecosystem of startups, big tech companies, and universities driving innovation.

**Generative AI** is a key focus, with systems learning to create new content and human-like interactions. New York's appeal lies in its deep pool of talent, diverse industries, and commitment to real-world applications. 

**A Talent Pool Unlike Any Other:**

* Wall Street's quantitative analysts (quants) are bringing their expertise in finance, math, and software to AI, fueling startups like **Seek AI** and **SmarterDx**.  
* **Seek AI**, founded by former Wall Street quant Sarah Nagy, aims to automate repetitive tasks for businesses. 
* **SmarterDx**, founded by former physician Michael Gao, leverages AI to improve hospital insurance claims accuracy. 

**Diverse Industries, Endless Opportunities:**

* New York City's diverse industries, from finance to biotech, provide fertile ground for AI applications. 
* **Slang Concierge**, founded by Spotify data scientist Alex Sambvani, is developing AI-powered tools for small businesses, initially focusing on the restaurant industry. 

**Big Tech's Presence:**

* **Google** and **Meta** are heavily invested in AI research within their New York City offices, working on projects like Gemini and DeepMind. 

**Universities Leading the Way:**

* **Cornell Tech** and **NYU** are at the forefront of AI research, with Cornell Tech making it a top priority and NYU expanding its AI infrastructure and partnerships.

**The Government's Ambitions:**

* Mayor Eric Adams' administration is pushing New York to become the US leader in AI for local government. 
* The **MyCity Business** chatbot, launched in September, has faced challenges in accuracy but has improved since its launch. 

**Challenges Ahead:**

* While AI is booming, startups are not yet profitable and the high cost of living in New York could pose challenges. 
* The AI boom could turn out to be a bubble, echoing the city's tech bubble of the 1990s. 

Despite these challenges, New York City's diverse ecosystem, talent pool, and commitment to real-world AI applications position it as a key player in the future of the industry.

While Silicon Valley powers tech breakthroughs, New York boasts a diverse concentration of businesses putting generative artificial intelligence to work.

NYC's AI Boom: How the City Became a Hub for Generative AI

##  SpaceX Rocket Sparks UFO Theories Over NYC

Early Tuesday morning, New Yorkers were treated to a peculiar sight in the pre-dawn sky: a glowing orb with a trailing plume of light, quickly sparking theories of an alien arrival. The object, however, was quickly identified as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launching from the Kennedy Space Station on a mission with a twist: the first private spacewalk.

![SpaceX Rocket Over NYC](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/spacex-falcon-9-rocket-seen-89395341.jpg?w=1024)

The Polaris Dawn mission, carrying NASA scientists and a civilian astronaut, aims to break records by reaching an altitude of 870 miles, exceeding even the Earth-lapping record of NASA's Project Gemini.  The crew, including billionaire Jared Isaacman, will spend five days in space, performing a spacewalk scheduled for Thursday. The spacewalk, a high-risk maneuver, will see the entire Dragon capsule depressurized, exposing the crew to the vacuum of space. 

While the rocket's flight captivated the East Coast, some New Yorkers initially mistook the spectacle for something extraterrestrial.

"That's aliens dawg!" one observer commented on social media.

"There are enough extraterrestrials in NYC, if you ask me," wrote another.

This event highlights the growing fascination with space exploration and the potential for private ventures to push the boundaries of human experience. 

A SpaceX rocket was seen flying across New York City early Tuesday after it launched from the Kennedy Space Station for a spacewalking trip/

SpaceX Rocket Mistaken for UFO Over NYC: Aliens or Spacewalk?

## Quantum Network Under NYC: A Glimpse Into the Future

For 15 days last December, a groundbreaking experiment took place deep beneath New York City. **Qunnect**, a quantum hardware company, successfully established a 21-mile-long quantum network spanning from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Corona, Queens.

This network utilized existing fiber optic cables, but instead of traditional photons, Qunnect transmitted **entangled, polarized photons**—photons linked in a quantum state. This groundbreaking experiment, described in a paper on the arXiv preprint server, could revolutionize communication and computing.

**What Makes This Network Special?**

* **Record-breaking Speed:**  The network sent half a million photon pairs per second, surpassing previous experiments by a significant margin. 
* **Robustness:**  The network remained operational for 99.84% of the experiment, demonstrating its stability and potential for real-world applications.
* **Existing Infrastructure:**  Unlike quantum computers, which require extremely cold temperatures, photons can carry quantum information at ambient temperatures, allowing Qunnect to leverage existing infrastructure.

**Potential Applications:**

The most immediate impact of this technology lies in **cybersecurity**. Entangled photons offer a highly secure communication channel, making it virtually impossible for hackers to intercept information. The team envisions a future where this technology could be used to create **unbreakable encryption keys**.

While still in its early stages, this experiment highlights the potential of quantum networking for a future **quantum internet**, offering speeds far exceeding current internet technologies. It's a reminder that remarkable scientific advancements are happening all around us, even beneath the bustling streets of New York City.

<figure id="attachment_2000492254" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2000492254"><img decoding="async" src="https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1024x487.jpg" alt="A map showing the GothamQ testbed and the experimental apparatus prior to photons entering (top left) and exiting (bottom right) the GothamQ fiber." width="1024" height="487" srcset="https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1024x487.jpg 1024w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-300x143.jpg 300w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-768x365.jpg 768w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-680x323.jpg 680w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-896x426.jpg 896w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1792x852.jpg 1792w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1023px) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 1279px) calc(100vw - 26rem), 680px" data-index="0"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2000492254">A map showing the GothamQ testbed and the experimental apparatus prior to photons entering (top left) and exiting (bottom right) the GothamQ fiber. Graphic: Craddock et al. 2024</figcaption></figure>

Despite its shutdown after just 15 days, the ephemeral network carries significant implications for cybersecurity and future quantum applications.

Quantum Network Buried Under NYC: A Glimpse Into the Future of Cybersecurity and the Internet

## Quantum Internet: From Theory to NYC Streets

The idea of a quantum internet might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but it's closer to reality than you might think.  Qunnect Inc., a company based in Brooklyn, has successfully operated a prototype quantum network under the streets of New York City. This is a major step forward in the development of this cutting-edge technology. 

<figure>
<img src="https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/test-of-a-prototype-qu.jpg" alt="Map of the GothamQ network under New York City boroughs." title="CAPTION: Map of the GothamQ network under New York City boroughs. Credit: Physics Magazine via APS" width="800" height="530">
<figcaption>CAPTION: Map of the GothamQ network under New York City boroughs. Credit: Physics Magazine via APS</figcaption>
</figure>

###  Why is this a big deal?

Quantum networks rely on **entanglement**, a mind-bending quantum phenomenon where particles become linked, no matter how far apart they are. This connection allows for secure communication and potentially even faster computation.  The challenge, however, has been to maintain these entangled states while transmitting them through fiber optic cables, as noise and polarization drift can disrupt the connection.

Qunnect's success lies in its ability to overcome these challenges. Their network, called GothamQ, spans 34 kilometers and utilizes **polarization-entangled photons**.  These photons are particularly useful because they are easy to create and manipulate. The network ran for 15 consecutive days, achieving a remarkable 99.84% uptime, demonstrating its reliability. 

<figure>
<img src="https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2024/test-of-a-prototype-qu-1.jpg" alt="Qunnect's Qu-Val equipment, consisting of an entanglement source, Automated Polarization Compensators and measuring device." title="Qunnect's Qu-Val equipment, consisting of an entanglement source, Automated Polarization Compensators and measuring device. Credit: Mehdi Namazi of Qunnect" width="800" height="530">
<figcaption>Qunnect's Qu-Val equipment, consisting of an entanglement source, Automated Polarization Compensators and measuring device. Credit: Mehdi Namazi of Qunnect</figcaption>
</figure>

### The Future of Quantum Communication

The implications of this achievement are far-reaching.  A fully-fledged quantum internet could revolutionize communication, computation, and even the way we conduct scientific research. It could lead to: 

* **Ultra-secure communication**:  Quantum entanglement provides a fundamentally secure way to transmit information, making it impossible for eavesdroppers to intercept messages.
* **Unprecedented computing power**:  Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that are currently intractable for even the most powerful classical computers.
* **Enhanced scientific discoveries**: Quantum networks can enable more precise measurements and facilitate collaborations across vast distances, opening up new avenues of scientific exploration.

Qunnect's GothamQ loop is a major step towards making this vision a reality.  While much work remains to be done, the future of quantum communication is looking bright.

To introduce quantum networks into the marketplace, engineers must overcome the fragility of entangled states in a fiber cable and ensure the efficiency of signal delivery. Now, scientists at Qunnect Inc. in Brooklyn, New York, have taken a large step forward by operating just such a network under the streets of New York City.

Quantum Internet is Coming to NYC: A 34km Loop Test Proves It

## NYC's Traffic Cameras Are Now Selfie Stations!  

Ever walk down a New York City street and wish you could snap a selfie to share with your friends? Now you can – with the help of NYC's traffic cameras!  

**TrafficCamPhotoBooth.com**, a website created by Brooklyn resident Morry Kolman, allows users to access over 900 traffic cameras around the city and take selfies using the traffic enforcement equipment.  

To use the website, simply select a camera from any of the different locations around the city. Then, snap a photo using the website in either photo strip or Polaroid format.  

**How Does It Work?**

According to Kolman, the Department of Transportation (DOT) hosts live feeds of these traffic cameras – not live video, but live images that update every two seconds. These images are publicly accessible, which allows Kolman's website to function.  

**Inspiration Behind The Project**

Kolman, an NYC-based artist, said the inspiration for the project came from a class he was taking where he was challenged to take a picture without being the one behind the camera. He realized that the city's traffic cameras were a perfect opportunity to achieve this.  

**A Viral Hit**

The website has already been visited 30,000 – 40,000 times and over 10,000 photos have been taken. Kolman has no intention of making money from the project. The website is free to use and doesn’t serve advertisements or track users.  

**Expanding To Other Cities**

Kolman said he would like to expand the project to other cities and is even willing to make the website open source so others can contribute to its development. He believes the DOT's traffic camera setup makes NYC the perfect city for this type of project.  

**What Does The DOT Think?**

While the DOT has not yet responded to requests for comment, Kolman doesn't think they have any issues with his project. He believes the DOT is likely more focused on the cameras' intended purpose of traffic management.  


TrafficCamPhotoBooth.com, a website created by Brooklyn resident Morry Kolman, launched on Monday and it allows users to access over 900 traffic cameras around...

NYC's Traffic Cameras Are Now Selfie Stations!  A New Website Lets You Snap Pics With The City's Surveillance Systems

##  Capture the City in a New Way: Traffic Camera Selfies Are Here

Ever walked down a New York City street and wished you could snap a photo of yourself to share with the world? Now you can, thanks to a new website called **TrafficCamPhotoBooth.com**.

This innovative website, created by Brooklyn resident Morry Kolman, gives users access to over 900 traffic cameras across the city. The website allows you to take selfies using the very same cameras that the Department of Transportation (DOT) uses to enforce traffic laws.

**How It Works**

Selecting a camera from any location in the city, users snap a photo using the website.  The image can be chosen in either photo strip or Polaroid format, giving your selfie a retro feel.

The website's functionality is made possible by how the DOT hosts the camera feeds.  According to Kolman, "The New York City Department of Transportation hosts live feeds of these traffic cameras. Now, they're not live video. They're live images, they update about every two seconds. And if you just load up that image URL, the same way you would load up a picture or some other image that you would find online, that's completely public." 

**A Unique Artistic Challenge**

Kolman, an NYC-based artist, got the inspiration for the project from a class he took with another artist.  The instructor challenged the students to take a picture without being the one behind the camera.  This led Kolman to consider using the ubiquitous traffic cameras, which capture the city's constantly moving scenes.  He realized that even though they're designed for cars, these cameras still capture people in their lens.  

**A Free and Open Source Project**

The website is completely free to use, and Kolman has no intention of making money from it. He says there are no advertisements served to users and their data is not tracked.

Kolman hopes to expand the project to other cities and has made the website open source.  He welcomes contributions from others to make it more widespread.  He says, "I might just kind of open it up and say hey, this entire website is open source. If you want to contribute, you can contribute to the repository and kind of let it expand that way. I'm happy to be like a steward of it."  

**The DOT's Take**

So what does the DOT think about their cameras being used for selfies?  They haven't responded to NBC New York's request for comment. However, Kolman doesn't seem worried.  He says, "I don't really think it matters to them that much. And honestly, the way that the DOT has their traffic cameras set up makes it a lot easier to use for this kind of website than any other city in the United States or even the world. And so, I'm very thankful, at the very least for the way that they set up their web and API infrastructure."

Take Selfies With NYC Traffic Cameras:  A New Website Lets You Snap Pics With The City's Surveillance Systems

##  The Big AI-pple: How NYC is Becoming a Leading AI Hub  

New York City is already a global economic powerhouse, home to the NYSE and NASDAQ, and countless small businesses and startups.  But in the age of AI, the Big Apple is aiming to solidify its position as the world's leading tech hub.  

The city currently boasts the **second-highest concentration of AI companies in the US** and more AI-based job openings than the Bay Area.  

###  Neutral IXs: The Key to Unlocking Growth  

What makes NYC so attractive for AI development?  A key factor is the city's **unique and thriving data center and interconnection market**.  

**Neutral Internet Exchanges (IXs)** are vital to the booming digital economy.  They allow for the rapid and secure exchange of data packets, which is crucial for AI applications.  New York has more network connections at internet exchanges than any other city in the US.  

**Neutral IXs offer several advantages:**

* **Increased redundancy and flexibility:** Data centers can be interconnected in a distributed manner, providing more reliable and fail-safe connections.
* **Greater network density:**  Open to a wider range of networks, neutral IXs rapidly build network density and data gravity.
* **Accessibility for all:**  Companies located outside the city center can still participate in NYC's vibrant digital ecosystem.  

### AI: Powering NYC's Economic Future 

**Speed is essential for AI**.  Neutral IXs allow data to be exchanged in a fraction of a second, enabling real-time data analytics and generative AI applications.  This is crucial for businesses that rely on AI for strategic growth.  

**Accenture predicts that New York State could increase its GDP by $320 billion by 2038 with the help of AI.**  This growth will be fueled by the city's robust and high-performance connectivity provided by distributed and neutral interconnection platforms.  

### The Future of AI in NYC  

AI is a powerful driver of innovation, and NYC is well-positioned to become a global leader in this field.  The city's unique interconnection ecosystem provides the foundation for the growth and development of AI technologies.  

**As AI matures, it will lead a new generation of growth and innovation around the world, and NYC will be at the forefront.**

Neutral internet exchanges are enabling New York City to thrive as a leading tech hub, boosting AI innovation and economic growth, writes Ivo Ivanov.

NYC: The Big AI-pple  - How Neutral Interconnection is Fueling the City's AI Boom

## Verizon Outage Disrupts NYC Users

Verizon users in New York City are reporting widespread outages, according to Downdetector. The outage tracker has seen a surge in reports of service disruptions, affecting internet, phone, and mobile data. 

**The cause of the outage is currently unknown, and Verizon has yet to issue an official statement.**  Users have taken to social media to express their frustration, with many complaining about the lack of service and the impact it is having on their daily lives. 

**This outage comes at a time when reliable internet connectivity is crucial for many people, particularly those working remotely or relying on online services.**  It remains to be seen how long the outage will last and what steps Verizon is taking to restore service. 

**Stay tuned for updates as we learn more.**

**Update:** Verizon has acknowledged the outage and is working to restore service. The company is currently investigating the cause of the disruption. 

**We will continue to provide updates as they become available.**

R&B singer R. Kelly’s trial was pushed back due to COVID-19 concerns. A federal judge in New York pushed back the trial to Aug. 9 because it wasn’t realistic to begin the trial in April “due to the current conditions in New York,” Yahoo! reported. R. Kelly was denied bail in 2019 regarding his New […]

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