Shakun Shan

Shakun Shan is a Specialist (IT & Digital Services) at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. He supports national efforts in the areas of science, technology, and innovation by contributing to the design, implementation, and governance of digital systems and platforms aligned with public policy objectives.

His professional responsibilities include work on artificial intelligence policy, cybersecurity, strategic communications, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), with a focus on high-impact Government of India initiatives in the domain of Science, Technology, and Innovation. He has also engaged in public discourse on technology and society, including participation in a TEDx podcast at SVC, University of Delhi.

Shakun has a sustained research interest in addressing the emerging “intelligence divide,” with particular emphasis on multilateral frameworks for AGI safety and shared global compute architectures, aimed at promoting equitable access to advanced technological capabilities for low- and middle-income countries.

Prior to his current role, Shakun gained extensive experience in district- and state-level administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as the Nodal Officer for Home Isolation in Dhanbad, where he led the development of the HIMMAT digital service-delivery application and coordinated digital operations supporting telemedicine and vaccination programs. In 2021, he transitioned from the private technology sector to government consulting, reflecting a professional commitment to strengthening public digital systems.

Shakun holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer and Communications Engineering from Manipal University Jaipur and a Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics from Purdue University. His professional approach is guided by the principle that systems are designed to serve citizens, with an emphasis on developing ethical, transparent, and accountable Digital Public Infrastructure informed by on-ground administrative and community experience.