‘Our Risk, Their Reward’: Zohran Mamdani on AI and Data Centers
Ahead of the midterms, WIRED talked to New York City’s mayor about data centers, AI in schools, and the future of the Democratic party.
In October 2025, WIRED sat down with Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City, at his campaign office. Mamdani, who had just turned 34, was still on a high from his stunning political victory. His campaign had focused on affordability and the working class, but it was his mastery of social media that truly set him apart from other politicians.
Mamdani's charisma and online presence had turned him into a polarizing figure, with a 69% approval rating among Big Apple voters and attracting attention from both supporters and critics alike. During an interview at City Hall, Mamdani spoke about his experiences as mayor, the challenges of governing, and his views on social media's role in governance.
He emphasized the importance of using multiple platforms to reach New Yorkers and acknowledged that age was not a barrier to his political success.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
