About us
Looking for more information about BetaNYC - check out beta.nyc.
## What is BetaNYC
BetaNYC envisions an informed and empowered public who can leverage technology, design, and data to address their problems and hold government accountable.
We are dedicated to civic technology, smart communities, & open government. We are a nonpartisan good government community using technology, design, and data to empower individuals and local communities, provides for an honest and efficient government, and build a civically‐engaged ecosystem.
BetaNYC is building a connected NYC, by the people, for the people, for the 21st Century.
## Important Community Resources
Slack - BetaNYC has an active Slack community.
The Message - BetaNYC’s Newsletter
Reddit - our Public Interest NYC Reddit group to share and gather ideas for Public Interest projects and issues in NYC.
Videos of previous events and instructional videos.
Upcoming events
4
Discovering NYC Open Data: Online Session: June 2026
·OnlineOnlinePlease RSVP at http://beta.nyc/e260610.
Did you know there is free data about nearly every aspect of our city? Come learn how to use it with the NYC Open Data Ambassadors! Join us for an online workshop where you’ll learn the fundamentals of using NYC Open Data.
** This training is FREE and OPEN to the public **
You will gain an understanding of:
- What NYC Open Data is!
- How to find specific datasets
- How to filter a dataset
- How to visualize data in charts and graphs
- Tools and Applications of Open Data
- How to stay involved
Who should attend?
- Anyone! No experience necessary.
- Educators & Students
- Librarians & Non-Profit Professionals
- Local Organizers & Decision-Makers
- City Planners and Mappers
The Open Data Ambassadors program is a collaboration between NYC Office of Technology and Innovation’s Open Data Team and BetaNYC. Visit nyc.gov/discoveropendata to learn more!
3 attendees
AI 101 with Council District 17 & BetaNYC
·OnlineOnlineJoin the Office of New York City Council Member Justin Sanchez and BetaNYC for a hands-on workshop designed to build confidence with today’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools. You will learn a practical understanding of today’s artificial intelligence tools.
Participants will learn how to:
- Ask questions and get useful results.
- Spot risks around privacy.
- Ensure that appropriate settings are in place to communicate securely.
- Confidently decide when AI is a helpful assistant.
Additionally, we will highlight real-world civic AI tools that help you demystify New York City government operations.
No tech background is required!The curriculum for this workshop was developed in partnership with the New York City Council’s Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement (AICE) Initiative, AI for Nonprofits Sprint powered by the Fund for the City of New York, and with content support from Data and Society’s AI Civics.
BetaNYC is a safer space. Harassment, discrimination, and exclusionary behavior are not tolerated. Protected categories include gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more. Violations can result in removal from the event and the BetaNYC network. If an incident occurs, contact saferspaces@beta.nyc or find a BetaNYC staff member at the event.
2 attendees
Mapping for Equity in NYC Council District 11 with BetaNYC
Mosholu Parkway, New York, NY, USBetaNYC will present the Mapping for Equity project and how to create more equitable and accessible mapped spaces. We will show you how we’re mapping parks and public spaces into OpenStreetMap.
Through this activity, we are making sure there's equal representation in data while quantifying and mapping our public realm. Together, we will site, count, and map community assets such as street lamps, benches, water fountains, trash cans, and picnic tables.This event will be delivered in English and all ages are welcome to attend (provided that anyone under 18 years old is present with a parent or guardian). We will be moving about the city and on uneven terrain. Plan on wearing appropriate footwear and environmental attire.
If you have any needs or accommodations, please email events@beta.nyc.
Please RSVP by the end of the day on Thursday, July 9, 2026.Agenda
- 2:00 PM: Arrival and check-in to the event, mingling
- 2:15 PM: BetaNYC remarks
- 2:30 PM: Breakout into groups for Field Mapping
- 3:30 PM: Groups start to walk back to the meeting point
- 3:45 PM: Return to the meeting point
- 4:00 PM: Close & clean up
BetaNYC is a safer space. Harassment, discrimination, and exclusionary behavior are not tolerated. Protected categories include gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more. Violations can result in removal from the event and the BetaNYC network. If an incident occurs, contact saferspaces@beta.nyc or find a BetaNYC staff member at the event.
2 attendees
AI 101 with BetaNYC & Council District 2
·OnlineOnlineJoin the Office of New York City Council Member Harvey Epstein and BetaNYC for a hands-on workshop designed to build confidence with today’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools. You will learn a practical understanding of today’s artificial intelligence tools.
Participants will learn how to:
- Ask questions and get useful results.
- Spot risks around privacy.
- Ensure that appropriate settings are in place to communicate securely.
- Confidently decide when AI is a helpful assistant.
Additionally, we will highlight real-world civic AI tools that help you demystify New York City government operations.
No tech background is required!
The curriculum for this workshop was developed in partnership with the New York City Council’s Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement (AICE) Initiative, AI for Nonprofits Sprint powered by the Fund for the City of New York, and with content support from Data and Society’s AI Civics.
BetaNYC is a safer space. Harassment, discrimination, and exclusionary behavior are not tolerated. Protected categories include gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more. Violations can result in removal from the event and the BetaNYC network.
If an incident occurs, contact saferspaces@beta.nyc or find a BetaNYC staff member at the event.
1 attendee
Past events
318
