Key facts
- AI tools can solve hundreds of math problems with simple prompts.
- Mathematicians are increasingly tasked with verifying AI-generated proofs.
- OpenAI claims to have solved the Navier-Stokes equation and 700 other problems.
Terence Tao, a renowned UCLA mathematics professor, has stated that the "romantic era" of mathematics is concluding due to advancements in artificial intelligence. In a recent interview on the YouTube channel Numberphile, Tao explained that AI tools can now solve numerous complex problems, shifting the focus for human mathematicians from original discovery to verifying AI-generated proofs. He described this transition as moving towards an "industrial era" for mathematics, where large-scale problem-solving becomes more prominent, though he acknowledged that some aspects of mathematical discovery might be lost. OpenAI has recently claimed to have solved the Millennium Prize Problem Navier-Stokes equation and an additional 700 outstanding math problems using its AI models. These developments have caused concern among some academics, with one professor noting that such releases can disrupt the work of early-career researchers. The debate also extends to AI's role in academic events, as seen when OpenAI withdrew sponsorship from a student-organized "mathathon" following objections from senior academics.