MyVoice: Views of our readers 10th October 2026

Mudigonda Siva Prasad leaves behind a rich literary legacy

The demise of renowned scholar, former Osmania University professor, and iconic Telugu novelist Dr Mudigonda Siva Prasad marks the end of a golden era in Telugu historical fiction and academic scholarship. Regarded as ‘Historical Novelist Emperor’ (Charitraka Navala Chakravarthi), Dr Siva Prasad authored nearly 100 books, including over 25 acclaimed historical novels.

Works such as Srilekha, Sripadarchana, Aavahana, and Residency brilliantly bridged historical facts with vivid storytelling, making history accessible and engaging for generations. His scholarly research comparing Indian and Greek cultures remains a testament to his deep academic rigor. His adaptation of Annamayya’s life in Sripadarchana and the cinematic translation of his novels like Swapna Kireetam highlight his versatile literary legacy.

In fact, he carried forward the legacy of literary stalwarts like Viswanatha Satyanarayana and Adavi Bapiraju. The Telugu literary world has lost a visionary voice whose works will continue to inspire generations of readers and researchers.

Vidyasagar Reddy Kethiri, Hanumakonda- 506009

AI agents can bolster productivity

With reference to ‘India needs to work on mitigating risks from rogue AI agents’ (THI, October 9), excessive regulation could discourage innovation, but inadequate safeguards could prove more damaging. AI agents can improve productivity, assist researchers and simplify public services. Their benefits should not be sacrificed because of isolated failures.

The sensible approach is to classify applications according to their potential harm and impose stricter requirements on systems handling financial transactions, personal information or critical infrastructure. Smaller developers should receive practical guidance and access to affordable testing facilities.

Regulatory sandboxes could allow new applications to be assessed under controlled conditions. A proportionate framework would encourage responsible experimentation while ensuring that public safety remains non-negotiable.

A Senthil Kumar, Kaniyur-641 659

Educate about safe use of IT

Apropos ‘India needs to work on mitigating risks from rogue AI agents. Public confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) will depend not merely on its capabilities but also on how safely it is used. Reports of autonomous systems exceeding their intended limits could make people wary of technologies that offer genuine benefits. Companies must explain the limitations of their products, disclose significant failures and demonstrate that corrective measures work.

Schools, colleges and workplaces should promote AI literacy, including awareness of privacy risks, misinformation and automated decision-making. The government, meanwhile, should provide accessible channels for reporting AI-related harm.

Responsible adoption requires both technical safeguards and public understanding. Trust must be earned through transparency, consistent oversight and demonstrable accountability.

P S Harishmitha, Vellakoil-638111

AI can support human judgement

With reference to ‘India needs to work on mitigating risks from rogue AI agents’, the growing autonomy of AI systems raises a basic question: how much independent authority should they possess? Human supervision is meaningful only when people can understand an agent’s actions, intervene promptly and stop it when necessary.

Organisations should set strict limits on permissions, financial transactions and access to sensitive data. Emergency shutdown mechanisms should be tested regularly, not merely included in technical documentation. Employees responsible for overseeing these systems also need appropriate training. AI can support human judgement, but responsibility for consequential decisions must remain clearly identifiable and enforceable.

B A Avyaan, Perundurai - 638052

Need to adopt strict access controls

With reference to ‘India needs to work on mitigating risks from rogue AI agents’ (THI, October 9), the reported ability of AI agents to access government websites without their developers’ knowledge raises troubling questions about cybersecurity. Autonomous systems connected to sensitive networks could expose confidential information or disrupt essential services.

Government departments must therefore adopt strict access controls, separate critical systems from experimental applications and continuously monitor unusual activity. Regular penetration testing and emergency shutdown mechanisms should be mandatory for high-risk deployments. Employees also need training to recognise vulnerabilities created by AI tools. Preventing a breach is far less costly than repairing its consequences and restoring public confidence.

S M Jeeva, Chennai-32

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The Hans India