OpenSSL Corporation at NYC Tech Week 2025: Advancing Security, Trust, and Open Innovation

Jun 23, 2025

NYC Tech Week 2025 brought together technology leaders, researchers, and policymakers across New York City for critical conversations shaping the future of technology. As part of OpenSSL Corporation’s ongoing commitment to universal access to security and privacy tools, Kajal Sapkota, Marketing and Communications Specialist at OpenSSL Corporation, attended to engage directly with emerging trends, share our perspective, and strengthen connections within the quantum, AI, cybersecurity, and open-source communities.

Representing the OpenSSL Corporation’s Mission and Values

Kajal’s participation at NYC Tech Week served multiple purposes: to gather insights that inform the OpenSSL Corporation’s cryptographic development, to promote the importance of open standards and open-source collaboration, and to advocate for responsible security practices that align with the OpenSSL Corporation’s mission to make strong encryption universally available.

Quantum Computing

At IBM’s Qiskit workshop, Kajal directly explored accessible quantum programming, an area increasingly relevant to OpenSSL Corporation’s work in post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The growing democratization of quantum tools reinforces the urgency of advancing PQC standards to safeguard data against future quantum-enabled threats. This aligns with OpenSSL Corporation’s active contributions to post-quantum cryptographic standards and our ongoing integration of quantum-resistant algorithms into the OpenSSL Library.

Artificial Intelligence

The “AI Agents & Co Pilots” session featured insights from leaders at SAP, Insight Partners, and Relevance AI. Panellists discussed AI’s transformative potential for automating and optimising enterprise workflows, emphasising transparency and accountability, principles at the heart of the OpenSSL Corporation’s values. Additionally, a fireside chat hosted by Chief highlighted Anthropic’s Kate Jensen’s views on how AI reshapes executive leadership, stressing clarity, ethical responsibility, and human-centred management in an AI-driven world.

Kajal also participated in the panel on open-source AI solutions, where experts from Hugging Face, IBM, and Fidelity explored how open-source platforms offer viable and transparent alternatives to proprietary systems, especially critical in regulated industries.

Cybersecurity

The session “Generation Vulnerable” provided Kajal with critical insights into cybersecurity threats faced by digitally native Gen Z, including deepfakes, algorithmic manipulation, and AI-enhanced phishing attacks. Speakers like Craig Newmark (Craigslist) and Dr. Tarika Barrett (Girls Who Code) discussed the urgent need for improved digital literacy, updated policies, and ethical frameworks to counter these evolving risks.

The “AI & Cybersecurity in B2B” panel further reinforced the critical intersection between advanced artificial intelligence tools and robust cybersecurity frameworks, highlighting how enterprises must evolve to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Networking and Community

The Women in Tech event celebrated impactful women leaders such as Sofia Garcia (ARTXCODE) and Karen Liu (Permian Labs), highlighting the ongoing need for structural support and equitable representation across the tech industry. Kajal rounded out the week at the United Women in Business (UWIB) happy hour, connecting with fellow professionals across various sectors, underscoring the importance of community, mentorship, and collaborative growth.

Key Takeaways from NYC Tech Week 2025

• Quantum Computing Raises Security Stakes: Quantum computing’s increasing accessibility demands accelerated adoption of post-quantum cryptography to safeguard data security.
• AI Requires Responsible Deployment: Transparency and ethical frameworks must guide AI innovation, especially in sensitive or regulated business sectors.
• Cybersecurity is Evolving Rapidly: Proactive education, ethical governance, and agile policy are critical for addressing AI-driven cybersecurity threats targeting individuals, especially Gen Z.
• Open Source Is the Future: Open-source AI and security frameworks are gaining ground as scalable, auditable, and flexible alternatives to proprietary systems. They’re not niche anymore, they’re essential.
• Community Strengthens Tech Innovation: Meaningful, inclusive networks and structural equity are fundamental for sustainable innovation and progress.

Final Reflections

“NYC Tech Week emphasised how technology’s future hinges on collaboration, ethics, and inclusivity, principles at the heart of the OpenSSL Corporation’s Mission and Values. Innovation paired with transparency and responsibility is essential for genuine progress and universal access to security and privacy tools.” — Kajal Sapkota