NYC mayor launches Public Interest Technology Crews to overhaul city services

Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled five Public Interest Technology crews in New York City, aiming to build fast-track apps that improve government services.

At a go-kart track in Coney Island, Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crews, five specialized squads intended to modernize New York City’s digital services. Chief Technology Officer Lisa Gelobter, a former United States Digital Service veteran, will manage the effort with a $5.24 million city budget and a $2 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation supporting one crew. The teams, staffed by engineers and designers, will operate in 12-week sprint cycles to deliver practical applications, starting with a click-to-cancel platform that enforces a new mayoral rule on subscription cancellations and could save roughly $160 million for residents.

Gelobter hired fellow USDS alumni Luke Farrell and Maya Israni to run the crews, emphasizing a culture of casual attire and rapid development. The move mirrors the Obama-era USDS ethos but adopts a skeptical stance toward big-tech, aiming to provide high-impact, public-focused tech solutions. Over 3,000 applicants have responded to the roughly 35 openings, many from high-paying tech jobs seeking purpose-driven work.