Adams orders city agencies to use language technologies for enhanced communication with New Yorkers
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City is embracing the digital age in its quest to eliminate language barriers in the Big Apple by using translation apps for enhanced communication.
Mayor Eric Adams issued a directive to city agencies on Monday to identify ways to improve communications with all New Yorkers, including non-English speaking communities, by utilizing language technologies.
Adams, who is winding down his time at City Hall, addressed what he calls one of the most important items of his administration. New York is a city of many languages, more than 175 kinds. However, the mayor points out language can be a barrier.
"Our inability to communicate really prevents you from wanting to access government services and it's just unfair," Adams said.
To counter that, the mayor is directing all city agencies that use smart phones, more than 100,000, to install language apps. Two of the most popular include Google Translate and the one that's built into Apple products.
"It will give city agencies the tools to meet out neighbors where they are, to better serve them in a crisis and speak their language," Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy says.
For nearly a decade, police officers have been carrying smart phones with translation apps, but there were restrictions, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
"The official department policy nonetheless required them to call language line in order to do official translation services," Tisch said.
That service provides help with language by phone. In 2023, officers used it more than 244,000 times, but now a policy change is aiming to bridge that gap.
"They can use Google Translate now if they don't want to conference in language line," Tisch said.
Meanwhile, New York City Public Schools recently began developing a new app called Hello, which will help bridge language gaps. Using speech-to-text and text-to-speech interactions, Hello will be able to give real-time translation and interpretation in the top 12 languages spoken by NYC public school families.
"Every day our schools work hand-in-hand with families to provide a world-class education and critical supports for our students," NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said.
"Parents and families are our first partners in the success of our youngest New Yorkers, so it is essential that we have effective, efficient, and robust communication pathways between families and our schools. When our educators and school leaders work in close partnership with our families, our students thrive."
The school app is scheduled to be rolled out in the spring of 2026.
All of this is a foundation that Adams hopes the next mayoral administration will build on.
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