Already Scary—Did They Have to Call It an "Agent"?

Dear Friends,

Recently, I was talking to a well-educated professional. We were discussing how AI is going to impact jobs. I told him that AI agents will soon start doing many simple, everyday tasks that humans do today. Immediately, he asked me, “What qualification is needed to become an AI agent?” He also asked, “What will happen to real estate agents, tourist agents, insurance agents, freight forwarding agents, etc.?”

He is quite educated, but still confused. So, I thought this week’s story should explain this clearly.

First of all, AI Agent is not a human trained in AI!
It is a software program that works in the background, but does the same job as a human agent.

Recently, Puneet Agarwal, Director at Amazon, wrote an article explaining this beautifully. I am summarizing it here using simple examples:

1. Basic Human Helper = Old Software
You tell your helper: “Call Udipi Hotel at 7:30 PM.”
If it’s closed, he just comes back and asks, “What next?”
This is how old software works — it only follows exact steps. No thinking or adjusting.

2. Smart Friend = AI That Understands (LLM - like ChatGPT)
You say: “I’d love to eat Ravva Dosa.”
Your smart friend knows your taste and suggests a great restaurant — but you have to book the table.

This is like ChatGPT — it understands what you want, but it can’t take action.

3. Smart Friend + Assistant = AI + Agent
You say: “Book dinner for me.”
Your smart friend asks a helper to do it. The helper can act, but he needs clear instructions on how to book at that restaurant.

This is AI + Agent. The AI understands you, and the agent does the work — but only if you teach it each step.

4. Smart Friend + Assistant + Guidebooks = AI + Agent + MCP
Now your helper has official guidebooks from restaurants, airlines, etc., which explain exactly how to book, check flights, reschedule, etc.
He does everything without asking you again.

This is the future — AI + Agent + MCP (Model Context Protocol). MCP is like a digital manual that tells the AI what to do, step by step, without extra code.

Now think — what will happen to real estate agents, insurance agents, or freight forwarders? The same AI agent can replace their routine tasks too.

That’s why I tell my MBA students:
“Learn to build AI agents. You already have domain knowledge. If not, engineers will take your job.”

And I tell my engineering students:
“Learn business knowledge and build AI agents — or MBAs with AI skills will take your job.”

Of course, it is also applicable to a medical student, a Chartered Accountant, a biochemist, or any other student.

Universities must change, too. It’s not just about multi-disciplinary anymore. Now we need education that mixes skills across fields (interdisciplinary) and even beyond fields (transdisciplinary).

On a lighter note, the first James Bond novel came out in 1953. It was Casino Royale, introducing Agent 007. But today’s AI agents might be even more thrilling — and definitely more dangerous to jobs!

Agents are scary, right?

Now think — how long before an AI + Agent + MCP replaces you?

– Ravi Saripalle

The Profession Where 'One More Chance' Isn't Guaranteed

Dear Friends,

If you miss a sales target in a quarter, at most your boss will scold you and push you harder for the next one.

If you are a teacher and your class doesn’t meet expectations, students may give you negative feedback — and you get a chance to improve.

If you are a lawyer or a doctor and lose a case or make a mistake, there’s still another opportunity to correct it next time.

But now, look at this profession and its challenges:

At the Siachen Glacier, temperatures can drop to as low as -70°C.

Soldiers don’t get proper sleep because of the constant risk of snow bites.

They have to soak their heavily socked feet in buckets of hot water for 15 to 20 minutes just to be able to sleep.

Merely touching the trigger or barrel of a gun with bare hands can lead to severe frostbite, causing the loss of fingers or toes.

There’s only 10% of the oxygen available compared to the plains.

On the western front, in the Thar Desert along the India-Pakistan border, temperatures soar beyond 50°C during the scorching summer months.

Water is precious and extremely limited.

At any moment, with just one hour’s notice, they must be ready to move — even if a parent or child is unwell, they must sacrifice and fulfill their duty.

Every minute is unpredictable. Every moment could be life-changing.

They cannot relax. They cannot casually call loved ones while on duty.

In our professions, even a slight disturbance to our planned leave makes us uncomfortable. We are blessed to have the time and space to share our problems and find comfort among friends and colleagues.

In the past two days, I found it hard to even sit down (cross-legged) continuously for a few hours in an event — they often crawl for hours to reach their targets.

They must remain physically fit before joining, during their service, and until the very last day.

They live in extremes — so that we can live in comfort.

They sacrifice their today — so that we can dream of our tomorrow.

They don't get "one more chance" — they have to be right, every single time.

Let us take a moment to salute these silent warriors,

whose courage, resilience, and sacrifices are beyond what words can express.

A simple "Thank You" will never be enough — but let’s start with it, from the bottom of our hearts.

Jai Hind!
Ravi Saripalle

From Knowledge to Learnability: Rethinking University Education for the 21st Century

Dear Friends,

Exactly 30 years ago, in April 1995, I came to Raipur as a postgraduate aspirant. Due to a few circumstances, I couldn't join the program. But I have no regrets. Today, I’m writing this article from Raipur—this time, as a speaker addressing principals from various schools across Chhattisgarh. The topic of my session was the same as the title of this article: “From Knowledge to Learnability.”

Why is Learnability Critical in Universities?

Is it more important to impart knowledge or to foster learnability? In my view, it’s learnability. Today, students have multiple avenues to acquire knowledge—online platforms, peer learning, AI tools—but far fewer opportunities to develop their learnability index.

Prof. Bharat from Harvard University recently spoke at the India Today Conclave on the theme of AI in classroom settings. He shared compelling insights from his work and experiments at Harvard, particularly in physical science courses taught by highly experienced instructors.

Human vs. Bot Tutors: A Surprising Experiment

In one of the experiments, Prof. Bharat’s team tested the hypothesis:

“Bot tutors may not be as effective in classroom engagement as human tutors.”

The methodology was fascinating. Each week, half of the students were assigned human tutors and the other half AI bot tutors. The groups were flipped weekly, and mastery of that week's content was assessed regularly.

The Unexpected Insight:

To everyone’s surprise, students tutored by AI bots consistently outperformed those taught by human tutors. Even more surprising was that student engagement was higher with the bots. This challenges many of our assumptions about classroom dynamics and suggests new possibilities for redefining the tutor’s role in the age of AI.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Prof. Bharat also emphasized the importance of sensory and emotionally rich experiences—like dance, music, theatre, and art—in keeping the “learnability muscle” alive. He believes that as AI continues to surpass human capabilities in certain domains, learnability will be the key survival skill for the human race.

An MIT Study on AI vs. Human-Driven Search

Another insightful study from MIT compared two groups of students:
• One group used Google Search to research.
• Another group used Generative AI tools.

Both groups were later tested—not just on what they remembered, but on how well they could apply the information in a new context.

The result?

The Google Search group performed better in application-based tasks. The conclusion: Learnability, driven by genuine effort, curiosity, and critical thinking, leads to better learning outcomes.

Learnability Is the New Literacy

As Generative AI and Copilot tools become standard in our classrooms, we must shift our focus from “what to learn” to “how to keep learning.” This must be based on each student's socio-physical and psychological nature, and not just curriculum goals.

The future does not belong to those who know the most, but to those who can learn the fastest, adapt the quickest, and stay curious the longest.

Ravi Saripalle

Does AI Decide Our Fate? It’s Not Artificial Intelligence—Can You Guess What It Really Is?

 Dear Friends,

Yesterday, something unusual and unexpected happened. Just before the Kerala Public Service Commission exam began in Kasaragod, an unbelievable incident took place. An eagle suddenly swooped down and grabbed a candidate’s hall ticket from their hand.

Around 300 people stood there, stunned, as the bird flew up and calmly perched on a window ledge, holding the hall ticket in its beak. Everyone watched in silence, unsure of what would happen next.

Minutes passed. Just before the final cut-off time, the eagle dropped the hall ticket. Thankfully, it was quickly retrieved, and the candidate was able to take the exam.

Imagine! The candidate must have been preparing for this exam for years. And in the most bizarre way, a bird decided the timing.

To succeed in any exam—or in life—so many things need to come together: your health must support you, the weather should cooperate, your parents and mentors need to be there for you, and the questions asked must align with what you’ve studied. If it’s a descriptive exam, even the mood of the evaluator can matter. If we were to list all the conditions required for success, we could write an entire chapter!

We saw the same unpredictability during COVID-19. I personally know families where the father—healthy and the main breadwinner—passed away due to COVID-19, leaving the family financially and emotionally devastated. On the other hand, some individuals with multiple health issues survived and are now living happy lives. How do we make sense of this?

Today, economic instability and automation are also rewriting destinies. Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently talked about the 40-40 problem—people in their 40s earning ₹40 lakhs annually are more prone to layoffs. He advised professionals to continuously upgrade their skills and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, or risk being among the first to be let go.

So how do we interpret this? One part—effort and skill—is in your hands. The other part—fate, timing, external events—is completely beyond your control.

This raises a big question: If so much is out of our hands, what’s the point of putting in effort?

Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying we should give up or leave everything to fate. Absolutely not.

True effort is about discipline. When you’re skilled at something and can create value with minimal effort, that’s discipline. When you earn and live with that discipline, you can face whatever comes your way—because you’ve done your part sincerely, without shortcuts or blame. And that helps you navigate both success and failure with peace of mind.

Beyond that, we must accept: some things are just not in our control.

Let’s take a cue from the natural world:

• Have you ever seen a bird collecting hundreds of sticks just because they’re available?

• Have you seen a lion hunting when it’s not hungry?

• Have you seen a honeybee stripping flowers bare?

No. They take only what they need. They live with balance and awareness.

That’s Animal Intelligence.

Something Artificial Intelligence cannot replicate.

So, which AI do you think truly shapes our lives?

Yes, my friends—AI doesn’t always mean Artificial Intelligence.

Sometimes, it's Animal Intelligence that teaches us the most profound lessons.

Ravi Saripalle

The Law of Unintended Consequences: From Ecosystems to Electric Cars

Dear Friends,

One of my friends, arguably the most intelligent among us, made an extreme decision to stay back and care for his family rather than pursue better prospects elsewhere. On one hand, he was empathetic and responsible, prioritizing his family’s well-being. On the other, he lost the opportunity to earn and provide better opportunities for the next generation. This is a classic dilemma that many sons and daughters face in their lives. In fact, in the 1970s, there was a movie titled Talla (Mother) or Pellama (Wife) that explored this very conflict. In such complex social systems, there is no absolute right or wrong. Fortunately, in modern times, these issues are often handled with better mutual understanding and acceptance.

Why am I bringing this social issue into the context of electric cars? Let me share another related story. Many of you might be familiar with The Borneo Cat Drop Experiment (1950s). In Sarawak, Borneo, a malaria outbreak led the World Health Organization (WHO) to spray DDT to kill mosquitoes. However, this pesticide also wiped out wasps, which controlled thatch-eating caterpillars. As a result, caterpillars multiplied and began destroying local roofs. Additionally, DDT poisoned insects, which were then eaten by geckos and eventually by cats—leading to a sharp decline in the cat population. With fewer cats, the rat population exploded, causing outbreaks of plague and typhus. To counter this, the British Royal Air Force was forced to parachute cats into Borneo to restore balance.

This is a perfect example of how solving one problem can unintentionally create new ones, setting off a chain reaction.

Recently, I came across a similar concern regarding electric vehicles (EVs) in a CBS News article: "As electric vehicles become more common, experts worry they could pose a safety risk for other drivers." While EVs offer environmental benefits by improving air quality, they also introduce new road safety challenges. On average, EVs are 1,000 to 3,000 pounds heavier than petrol/diesel-powered cars, which raises concerns about crash severity and road safety. Experts warn that in collisions, heavier EVs exert significantly greater force, increasing the risk of severe injuries for occupants of lighter vehicles.

Though I majored in physics during my graduation, I never studied it from a real-world application perspective. Reading this article made me revisit some fundamental physics concepts:

• Newton’s Second Law of Motion: F=ma (Force = mass × acceleration). Since EVs are much heavier than traditional gas vehicles, they exert greater force upon impact. In a crash with a lighter vehicle, the smaller car experiences greater deceleration and force, increasing the risk of injury to its occupants.

• Kinetic Energy Equation: KE=12mv2. Since EVs have a higher mass (mmm), they carry more kinetic energy at the same speed as lighter vehicles. In a crash, this energy needs to be dissipated, often causing greater structural damage to the smaller vehicle.

While EVs undoubtedly contribute to better air quality, their weight presents a new road safety challenge that demands innovative engineering and regulatory solutions.

Another question that arises is the availability of natural resources. Global proven oil reserves are estimated at 1.7 trillion barrels, while lithium (source for battery), though more abundant in the Earth's crust, is less accessible. Current global lithium reserves are estimated at 22 million tons. As demand for EVs grows, how will this resource crunch impact the industry? Only time will tell!

Regardless of whether you drive an EV or a petrol car, the only mantra remains: Drive Slow and Stay Safe!

Ravi Saripalle

Starting Early = Finishing Early = Faster Success! Can Nature Accept this Formula?

Dear Friends,

I was unable to speak until I turned five! My parents were a bit worried due to social pressure but couldn't do much to help. It was a time and place where there were no educational counselors or therapists. Then, a speech miracle happened—I finally started speaking. Maybe I was an outlier in those days, but back then, most of us accepted natural growth as it was. We grew as nature intended.

However, today, we live in an inorganic world. Consider a green banana: at room temperature (20-25°C), it ripens in 5-7 days. Placing it in a paper bag, rice, or a warm spot speeds up the process by 2-4 days. Using an oven or microwave makes it ripen almost instantly—but it alters the texture and taste. The banana softens but doesn’t become sweeter. Similarly, tomatoes ripen naturally on the vine in 1-2 weeks. Yet, farmers often use ethylene gas or calcium carbide to turn them red in just a few days.

What’s the lesson here? Rushing ripening makes things appear ready, but the real quality is lost.

Now, what about children? Can we accelerate maturity in them? This is a critical question.

We can build AI models, improving accuracy and reducing costs with each iteration. But can the same approach be applied to human development?

Why are children so exhausted today? Consider their educational journey:

• At age 2, they start preschool.

• At age 6, they enter Class 1.

• At age 15, they take their Class 10 exams.

• At age 21, they complete their graduation.

• At age 24, they finish their master’s degree.

• A few pursue PhDs or postdoctoral studies, finally reaching 30 before starting full-time employment.

Even after that, the struggle continues. Employees must clear business certifications every six months just to stay relevant. Every 2-3 years, they switch companies, each requiring new certifications with increasing levels of difficulty. It’s a relentless cycle.

In highly competitive countries like India, the pressure is immense. A recent article in India Today highlighted this reality: "1,200 apply for 2 internships, CEO calls out India’s 'employability crisis'." The author shared that his company’s Indian office had just two internship openings—but received a staggering 1,200 applications. Only about 20 candidates were shortlisted for further evaluation.

Amid this chaos, additional social pressures—salary packages, marriage, and career growth—add to the stress. These become three unavoidable stress pills.

Eventually, many feel exhausted. Some express their frustrations openly, but most suppress them, hiding behind a forced smile.

So, I ask you: Is your smile genuine?

— Ravi Saripalle

The Death of “CAPITAL LETTERS” in the Hands of “gen g” Children!

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, I sent an important message to a young CEO based in the US. Fortunately, I received a response within 30 minutes. However, the text did not follow sentence case; it was completely in lowercase! A few months back, I argued with my son about a pitch. He named the pitch “ekam”; however, I insisted on keeping it as “Ekam”!

A couple of days ago, I received an article titled, “The death of capital letters: why gen Z loves lowercase,” published in The Guardian (theguardian.com). The article argues, “For many members of gen Z, lowercase writing is not just a style preference but a cultural marker, reflecting their values and attitudes to tradition. Influential artists such as Billie Eilish, 23, have reinforced this aesthetic, using lowercase in song or album titles such as don’t smile at me or my future.”

I am habituated to reading "THE HINDU", a newspaper. Look at the Gen Z kids—they love to wear gadgets by “boAt,” founded in 2016 and launched as a lifestyle brand for electronic wearables (boAt Lifestyle). Look at the “Zepto” logo (zepto), an online grocery delivery service that offers quick, reliable, and convenient deliveries, launched in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya V. To validate my research, I went through Aadit Palicha’s LinkedIn profile. He built his first startup at the age of 17, named gopool. The logo again—small case “gopool.”

Gen Z (Generation Z) refers to people born between 1997 and 2012. They believe lowercase text is softer and more personal, avoiding the "formal" or "aggressive" tone that capitalized text can sometimes carry. It aligns with the minimalist, internet-culture-driven aesthetic (“tumblr”, or how brands like "spotify" and "paypal" stylize their names).

Being in the academic community, I sometimes tend to judge based on the style of text. But we need to realize that at 50, we are becoming old—accept the next generation wholeheartedly and welcome them, welcome their language, welcome their text, and more. Of course, it is tough during the transition, but time teaches us.

In Microsoft Word, we have five options—“Sentence Case,” “lower case,” “UPPER CASE,” “Capitalize Each Word,” and “tOOGLE cASE.”

On a lighter note, I hope Gen Alpha (2010–24) does not switch to “tOOGLE cASE”!!

“are you ready to write text in lowercase? or “gEETING rEADy iN tOOGLE cASE”?”

Ravi Saripalle