Ajay Lotan Thakur, is considered as a highly accomplished professional with an ME in Telecommunication Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, has made remarkable contributions to the field of telecommunications and cutting-edge research. Currently serving as a Software Director at Intel Canada, Ajay has a career spanning over two decades, showcasing unparalleled expertise in distributed systems, open-source, cloud-native technologies, and the evolving landscape of next-generation mobile core networks.

Ajay’s journey with IEEE has been inspiring. Recognized as a Senior Member in early 2024, he actively contributes to the organization by volunteering as a Senior Membership Review Panelist.  As a member of the IEEE ComSoc Techblog Editorial Team, Ajay shares his insights on industry trends, further establishing his thought leadership in the field. His commitment to fostering innovation is further evidenced by his involvement as a Technical Program Committee Member and Program Committee Member for multiple IEEE conferences. He has delivered keynote speeches at IEEE conferences, delving into topics such as the application of AI/ML in telecommunication networks and advanced tools for optimizing network performance. Ajay is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a distinction that underscores his global impact and expertise in telecommunications.

Ajay has played a critical role in the open-source community as a Technical Steering Team (TST) member in the Linux Foundation’s Aether Project, which focuses on private 5G networks. His collaborative efforts with graduate, PhD students from leading universities, research institutes and startup companies have inspired many in open-source mobile core networking community. His research in developing cloud native software and 5G core network testing tools widely cited and used by the research community worldwide.  He was prominently featured on a leading online media platform TelecomTV, where he showcased his pioneering work in open-source 5G. Additionally, he contributes insightful articles to renowned platforms such as Open Source For You magazine and telecom-focused platforms like TeckNexus and The Fast Mode. Ajay actively engages on LinkedIn, mentors aspiring IT professionals on advancing their careers in telecom, cloud-native technologies and open-source software projects.

Ajay’s dedication to driving technological advancements and mentoring the next generation of professionals makes him a true leader in telecommunications. His journey is a perfect blend of technical excellence, leadership, and a passion for shaping the future of connectivity.