Before his tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Akash Bobbagained valuable experience through internships at Meta, Palantir, and the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, where he focused on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and financial modeling. Recently, it was reported by Wired that the billionaire Elon Musk-led DOGE has assembled a team of six young engineers, many of whom have recently graduated from college. This group, consisting of individuals aged between 19 and 24, features members such as Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran, with one individual still pursuing his studies. Notably, Akash Bobba, who has Indian heritage, is also part of this team.These engineers have been assigned significant roles within key government agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA), granting them access to sensitive government information. The combination of their limited experience in governmental operations and their responsibilities in managing critical data has raised concerns among various critics regarding the implications of such appointments.
Akash Bobba pursued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he participated in the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MET) program, which is tailored for aspiring leaders in the technology sector, as indicated by his now-deleted LinkedIn profile. Prior to his current role at DOGE, the 22-year-old gained valuable experience through internships at Meta, Palantir, and the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, focusing on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and financial modeling. His exceptional coding skills garnered widespread attention after a fellow Berkeley student recounted a story highlighting his remarkable problem-solving capabilities. Mr. Bobba is currently recognized as an “expert” at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), where he reports directly to Amanda Scales, the newly appointed chief of staff at DOGE, who previously held a talent acquisition position at xAI and Uber. Reports indicate that Akash Bobba possesses an active GSA email and A-suite level clearance, which grants him access to all physical locations and IT systems within the General Services Administration, as noted by Wired. Concerns have been raised by sources regarding the possibility that these appointments may have circumvented standard security clearance procedures.
