UK: Thales expert appointed to DSIT College of Experts

Ajay Chakravarthy, Chief AI Officer at Thales in the UK, has been appointed to the DSIT College of Experts, a network of independent specialists providing the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology with fast, flexible access to leading scientific and technical expertise. 

The College was launched on 18 June 2026 at the Royal Society in London, bringing together members from universities, industry and research institutes across the UK. Members will support government work, from advisory discussions to workshops and peer review. 

The 71 appointed experts were selected through a competitive process, with nearly 1,200 applications. Chakravarthy brings over two decades of applied AI expertise across defence, government and industry, supporting the rapid realisation of AI capabilities and value delivery. 

Head of the College, Professor Chris Johnson says the College demonstrates the power of combining world-class expertise with government insight to accelerate informed, impactful policymaking.