Friday, August 28, 2026
Welcome to another Friday edition of the Tech:NYC Digest, featuring our favorite five highlights in New York and tech this week.
Programming note: The Digest will be taking a summer vacation next week. We’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday, September 8.
Until then, enjoy this batch of articles below on stuff to do, places to visit, and things to eat while we’re away!
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We have seen the future of science, and it is here in Buffalo, NY (Buffalo News)
Empire AI Beta is officially online, giving New York researchers access to what supporters say is the most powerful academic AI supercomputer in the country. 🧠
Empire AI Beta is now fully operational at the University at Buffalo, giving researchers across New York access to AI computing power that was once reserved for the world’s largest tech companies.
Bloomberg co-founder and chair of the Empire AI board of directors Tom Secunda argues the real promise of AI is helping scientists discover new medicines, better understand diseases, and tackle problems that were previously impossible to solve.
His takeaway: If AI is the next great scientific tool, New York just gave its researchers one of the best laboratories in the world.
NYC is transforming Times Square into a massive pop-up pickleball festival — and you can play on the professional courts completely for free (Secret NYC)
We know, we know. An article about going to Times Square on purpose. 😅 But hear us out: CityPicklePalooza has turned the Crossroads of the World into a giant pickleball playground, and we’re here for it.
Anyone can reserve a free hour on professional-grade courts in Times Square, or try their luck with walk-up play if reservations fill up.
Even if you don't play, there’s plenty to watch, including Major League Pickleball pros, live DJs, giveaways, and interactive events throughout the five-day festival.
A free circus festival is taking over Bryant Park with a massive trampoline, aerial acts, and more (Time Out New York)
The circus is coming to Midtown, no ticket required. Bryant Park is transforming into an open-air big top with aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, and one very large trampoline. 🎪
The free Sunset Circus performance takes over Bryant Park on Saturday from 5–6pm, featuring performers from Parallel Exit, whose artists have worked with Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus.
Just bring yourself (or a picnic). Bryant Park will provide free blankets and bistro chairs, and nearby vendors will keep you well-fed.
Smorgasburg’s Great Ice Cream Fair returns to Brooklyn (PIX11)
Move over, pumpkin spice people. Summer isn’t over until you’ve eaten ice cream by the East River. 🍦
Smorgasburg’s Great Ice Cream Fair returns to Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg this Saturday, bringing together many of the city’s favorite independent ice cream makers.
Expect scoops (and fried ice cream!) from vendors like Coco Boys, Solo Scoop Creamery, and Sam’s Fried Ice Cream, plus family-friendly activities and dessert-themed art.
The ferry brought Manhattan to Red Hook. Now locals are riding the tourist wave (Gothamist)
The NYC Ferry is helping power one of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods. Every summer weekend, boatloads of visitors turn Red Hook into one of the city’s favorite waterfront escapes. ⛴️
Since ferry service launched in 2017, summer ridership has nearly tripled, bringing a steady stream of customers to neighborhood restaurants, bars, breweries, and small businesses.
As more New Yorkers discover Red Hook, local businesses say the influx has become an economic lifeline, helping fuel the neighborhood’s continued revival.
That’s all for this week. Time to sail into the weekend, New York! 🚢
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