Latest news with #Samuels
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
OpenAI is Changing New York's Tech Landscape
The Post's Lydia Moynihan sits down with Julie Samuels, the executive director of TechNYC, and discusses the evolution of New York City's tech ecosystem since the organization's inception in 2016. Samuels highlights how the city's tech sector has grown from an optimistic, emerging field to a powerful industry that now competes with Silicon Valley. She explains the benefits of New York's diverse tech landscape, where tech companies are integrated into various industries beyond just tech, such as design and finance. Samuels also touches on the impact of AI on the city's job market, noting that New York currently leads the country in open AI positions. Finally, the conversation delves into the political tensions surrounding large tech companies, referencing the Amazon HQ2 controversy, and emphasizes that, despite challenges, tech jobs are essential to the city's economic future.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Tech:NYC founder says city is in a ‘golden era' of innovation — and Covid is partly to thank
NY: Tech Week has become one of, if not, the most important event for startups and VCs in New York with investors like a16z and Union Square all hosting events next week. Ahead of the convention, I spoke with Julie Samuels, the President and CEO of Tech:NYC and a driving force behind Tech Week. She founded Tech:NYC — which aims to foster the growth of the industry through advocacy, events, and policy work — in 2016 when Gotham was still emerging as a potential hub. Advertisement 3 Julie Samuels has become a de facto liaison between the tech community in New York and government officials. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post 'We were still talking about which city, which region of the US would be number two behind the Valley, which sounds, I mean, which sounds crazy,' Samuels recalled. Today, New York City is a dominant tech center in its own right, with over 25,000 tech-enabled startups and major players like Google and Amazon. Samuels thinks the fact that New Yorkers have interests beyond AI and APIs is a huge advantage over Silicon Valley's insular tech culture. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Advertisement The fact that New York City is home to industries like fashion, media, and finance not only attracts a more diverse kind of person but also encourages them to think about broader applications of technology. 'I think it's much healthier and much more dynamic than what's happening in the Valley — it's so much more integrated into other industries… it's much healthier for the economy' she explained. 'You're not just in this little bubble where you're only learning about AI and talking with other people in AI… and I think that's reflected in a lot of the companies in New York.' She notes that the pandemic freed up Silicon Valley talent to live wherever and many decided to relocate to NYC. 3 Samuels believes that tech giants are helping revitalize NYC real estate. Photo by Hollis Johnson / Amazon Advertisement 'That stronghold really broke during Covid,' she said. 'New York saw more new tech employees moving here.' That's created a rich environment. 'You uniquely have an industry of people who love New York. That's amazing,' she said. 'We're in this golden era of tech in New York where people are choosing to be here. And that's awesome.' It's also been a boon for NYC real estate. Advertisement 3 Amazon's newest NYC office is in the old Lord & Taylor building. Photo by Hollis Johnson / Amazon While the failed Amazon HQ2 project in Queens was 'terrible for New York,' Samuels noted that the company has since poured a fortune into their physical presence. 'Since that happened, Amazon bought the old Lord & Taylor Building on Fifth Avenue which… now is completely full.' Similarly, Google's renovation of St. John's Terminal on the West Side exemplifies how tech companies are breathing new life into historic spaces. 'We see other tech companies doing that too, by the way. It really speaks to how New York evolves as a city, that new industries come into these older spaces,' Samuels observes. 'So we have to figure out how to revive our infrastructure, how to revive our buildings. And tech is driving that. It's really, really important for the future of the city.'
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Welcome to MTV Cribs, says show-off Newport drug dealer
The 31-year-old drug dealer from Newport made a video boasting about living the high life as he records his stay at the playground of the rich in the United Arab Emirates. The MTV Cribs quip is a nod to the American television show that gave the viewer a look inside the homes of celebrities. The judge who jailed the defendant for four years and eight months at Cardiff Crown Court said she had watched the video. Samuels was able to fund such swanky hotels thanks to his managerial role in a criminal enterprise selling heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine. 'Welcome to this week's episode of MTV Cribs!' jokes Newport drug dealer Jerome Samuels as he takes us on a tour of his penthouse suite at a luxury Dubai hotel. The 31-year-old was jailed for nearly five years after he admitted supplying heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine. — Iwan Gabe Davies (@DaviesGabe) May 8, 2025 He was caught by Gwent Police with more than £50,000 worth of the class A drugs earlier this year. The defendant is due to face a proceeds of crime hearing in December. Gwent Police released the video.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How one diner is navigating economic uncertainty in Danbury, Connecticut
The Three Brothers Diner has been serving the Danbury, Connecticut community for the last 50 years. The family-run business, which is managed by Stanley Kallivrousis, has navigated economic uncertainty before, including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is the decrease in consumer sentiment that's now plaguing the Danbury hotspot. "People aren't as jolly as they used to be," says Kallivrousis, who's noticed a decrease in foot traffic over the last few months and a change in eating habits among those who do come in. "People are sharing things a lot more than they used to. Nobody leaves any leftovers at all. People are taking everything home. You're noticing they'll have water or a bowl of soup or have an English muffin. Whereas they used to get a full breakfast." According to The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, consumer confidence dropped 7.9 points to 86 in April, a level which has not been seen since the onset of the COVID pandemic. According to the National Restaurant Association, 57% of restaurant operators said their traffic declined in March, down from 66% in February. With fewer customers, Kallivrousis has paused expanding, including adding staff, and the uncertainty around business has made retaining the staff that he does have difficult. "Some of the best cooks I know drive for Uber now," says Kallivrousis, who has seen workers leave the restaurant workforce for the flexibility that accompanies the gig economy. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, 34% of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April. Economic uncertainty John Samuels serves as a Partner and Managing Director for AlixPartners, a business consulting group that helps companies react to changing consumer behavior. According to Samuels, "companies are scrambling" for what's "shaping up to be a full-blown crisis," with many having to make decisions using "imperfect information." For some companies, that may mean canceling orders or raising prices. A recent survey given by AlixPartners reveals that 70% of corporate executives expect to raise prices. The change comes as companies plan to absorb the large cost of tariffs on their goods. Samuels says that companies, in addition to pulling back on hiring, are "pulling back on capital investments and on infrastructure investments." There is one bright spot. The price of food has remained relatively steady since January. Diner staples, including tomatoes, bread and chicken saw flat or decreasing prices, while a dozen eggs are up 26%. Despite all of the uncertainty, Kallivrousis says that running the Three Brothers Diner is about more than just food and profits. It's a place for the community to come together. "I know the overwhelming majority of all my customers," says Kallivrousis. "They still keep coming out and supporting. We're a part of the routine. I think that's the best part about the whole business. Sometimes that is the whole business." Daughter reflects on iconic photo that shows reunion with her father, a Vietnam prisoner of war Mike Waltz leaving post as Trump's national security adviser | Special Report Extended interview: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on deportations involving children and more
Western Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Welsh drugs boss boasted about living highlife from Dubai
Jerome Samuels, 31, from Newport was able to splash out on expensive trips while playing 'a leading role' in a crime gang. The father-of-four's reign was ended when he was caught with more than £50,000 worth of heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine weighing over 1kg earlier this year. Tabitha Walker, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested by Gwent Police officers who were on patrol in an unmarked car in the Bettws area of Newport. They arrested Samuels on suspicion of drug dealing and found more than £5,000 in cash inside his Vauxhall Insignia car. (Image: Jerome Samuels) Police also came across a key for a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV which they traced to Maesglas Crescent. When they searched the vehicle they came across the large drugs stash. They seized 205.8g of crack cocaine with a potential street value of £20,020, 651.5g of heroin worth £22,200 and 491.8g of cocaine which could be sold for £12,000. Detectives discovered incriminating evidence on Samuels' mobile phone which included the video of him showing off in Dubai. Miss Walker said: 'The Crown say this defendant played a leading role and there was the expectation of significant financial gain with influence over others in the chain.' Samuels, of Monnow Way, Bettws admitted possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property. The offences occurred on January 26, Cardiff Crown Court was told. Julia Cox representing him asked the court to take into account the fact that her client had no previous convictions for drug trafficking offences. She added how he is mourning the recent death of his grandmother who passed away last month. Judge Celia Hughes told Samuels: 'It's clear that you were enjoying the life of a drug dealer. 'You were showing off your lavish lifestyle in a video I have seen of you staying in a penthouse suite at a top end hotel in Dubai with a bowl of white powder.' She added: "You weren't at the top but you were high up in the chain. 'You were running street dealers and your sales were on a commercial scale and you knew the risks that you were taking.' The defendant was jailed for four years and eight months. He is due to face a proceeds of crime hearing on December 2. PC Thomas Meazey, the officer in the case, said: "Jerome Samuels funded a lavish and extravagant lifestyle through his criminal activities. "The supply of drugs is not a victimless crime, it causes harm and misery not only to those involved and their families but also the wider community. "We welcome the sentence imposed on Samuels and hope that it demonstrates that those involved in such criminal activity are not untouchable."
