Indian-origin engineer Akash Bobba joins Elon Musk’s government taskforce

Akash Bobba, an AI and data analytics expert, has been named among six young engineers recruited by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a controversial initiative granting exceptional access to U.S. government systems.

Also read: Google’s Willow Quantum Chip marks revolutionary milestone; Elon Musk responds

Bobba, a UC Berkeley graduate with experience at Meta, Palantir, and hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has been listed as an “expert” at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He now reports directly to Amanda Scales, a former recruiter for Musk’s AI firm xAI and the new chief of staff at DOGE.

At just 22, Bobba's rapid rise has drawn scrutiny. His technical prowess is well-documented—one former classmate recalled how Bobba rewrote an entire deleted project overnight, securing top marks. His career trajectory includes working on AI models for Meta at 19, interning at Palantir at 20, and graduating from Berkeley’s elite Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology program at 21.

The hiring of Bobba and five others—Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran—has sparked concern over national security and regulatory oversight. Reports indicate that at least four of them, including Bobba, have high-level clearance at the General Services Administration (GSA), allowing them access to sensitive government systems.

Experts warn that the lack of congressional oversight raises risks of regulatory capture, with non-public officials wielding significant influence over federal infrastructure.