Mathematicians Warn AI Advances Could Redefine the Field

Cornell University professor Steven Strogatz said the rapid progress of artificial-intelligence systems is reshaping mathematics, making breakthroughs occur faster while creating uncertainty for researchers. He noted that OpenAI recently announced that its network of tens of thousands of agents had produced a solution to a 90-year-old problem with a $1 million prize, though the result still requires independent verification. The claim was contested by mathematician Tristan Buckmaster, who alleged that OpenAI moved quickly after learning of his collaborative work with Anthropic researcher Levent Alpöge and attempted to influence credit allocation.

Strogatz, co-author of the forthcoming book Big Math, described 2026 as a pivotal year for the discipline, adding that future breakthroughs will likely depend on AI assistance. He quoted colleague Alex Townsend, who used ChatGPT to tackle a long-standing linear-algebra problem, saying the technology reduced the workload and cost but also left him feeling “upset” that his own expertise was being eclipsed.

"You will not be able to compete without AI in the future if you want to do breakthrough math," Strogatz told WIRED.

When asked about the relevance of high-profile problems such as the Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness question, Strogatz called them “very arcane” and suggested they serve more as marketing showcases for AI firms than as practical concerns for engineers. He emphasized that human mathematicians remain essential for interpreting and communicating AI-generated proofs, though he warned that even this role may eventually be overtaken by machines.

Strogatz observed that applied mathematics, which deals with real-world complexity, may resist automation longer than pure theory, and he questioned whether AI could develop a sense of mathematical aesthetics that aligns with human taste. He concluded that while AI is democratizing access to mathematics, it also threatens the traditional motivations that drive researchers, potentially reshaping how the field is funded and valued.