Akash Bobba, a 22-year-old engineer of Indian origin, is among six young professionals selected for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A UC Berkeley graduate, Bobba’s impressive journey includes internships at Meta and Palantir, expertise in AI, and a reputation for brilliance under pressure. Entrusted with classified government access, his rapid rise has drawn both praise and scrutiny. While critics question oversight, Bobba’s achievements highlight the potential of young talent in tackling high-stakes responsibilities.
Akash Bobba, a 22-year-old engineer of Indian origin, is making waves as one of six young professionals selected to join Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This group, aged between 19 and 24, has been entrusted with significant responsibilities, including access to sensitive government systems—an appointment that has drawn both admiration and scrutiny.
Bobba's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. A graduate of the prestigious Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology program at UC Berkeley, he first gained recognition as a standout coder during his university years. His exceptional academic record is further complemented by internships at industry-leading organizations, including Meta, Palantir, and Bridgewater Associates, where he honed his skills in AI, data analytics, and financial modeling.
Amanda Scales, chief of staff at DOGE and formerly associated with Musk's AI company xAI, oversees Bobba’s work. His designation as an "expert" within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) underscores the trust placed in his abilities. Scales’ role in Bobba’s appointment has fueled curiosity about his meteoric rise, but his track record speaks for itself.
One of Bobba’s former classmates, Charis Zhang, shared a story that highlights his brilliance and composure under pressure. "During a project at Berkeley, I accidentally deleted our entire codebase. I panicked. Akash just stared at the screen, shrugged, and rewrote everything from scratch in one night—better than before. We submitted early and got first in the class," Zhang posted on social media. Stories like this illustrate Bobba’s exceptional problem-solving skills and dedication.
The other members of DOGE include Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Gautier Cole Killian, Gavin Kliger, and Ethan Shaotran. Together, they are tasked with rebuilding critical government systems. Bobba's own timeline is impressive: by the age of 19, he was writing AI models for Meta; at 20, he interned at Palantir; at 21, he graduated from UC Berkeley; and by 22, he was entrusted with classified access to federal systems.
While Bobba’s achievements are inspiring, his appointment has sparked concerns in some quarters. Reports indicate that at least four of the six engineers, including Bobba, hold top-level clearance at the General Services Administration (GSA), granting them access to both physical and IT systems. Critics have raised questions about the oversight of such young professionals in positions of authority.
"This is unprecedented in that you have individuals who are not really public officials gaining access to the most sensitive data in government," said Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, in an interview with WIRED. "Congress has no real ability to intervene or monitor what's happening."
Despite the debates, Bobba’s meteoric rise stands as a testament to his talent and dedication. From rewriting entire projects overnight to being entrusted with high-stakes government responsibilities, his journey exemplifies the potential of young engineers to make a profound impact.
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