Deadly 9000-series computer in Arthur C Clarke books (3)

I believe the answer is:

hal

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If this is the answer, I'm afraid I cannot explain it.

(Other definitions for hal that I've seen before include "Odyssean character" , "future Henry V" , "Falstaff's prince (H.IV)" , "Bluff Prince" , "Harry, in short" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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