tech
February 25, 2026
The Edge of Mathematics
Terence Tao, the legendary mathematician, explains the promise of generative AI.
TL;DR
- Generative AI models, including ChatGPT, have been used to solve some of the Erdős Problems, previously unanswered mathematical questions.
- Mathematician Terence Tao considers these AI-generated solutions impressive but notes they often address the 'easiest' problems and lack the deeper insights derived from a human problem-solving journey.
- AI can assist mathematicians by handling tedious computations and enabling 'population studies' in mathematics, allowing for analysis at a larger scale than traditional case studies.
- Tao predicts AI will become a trusted co-author in technical papers, contributing at a level comparable to a junior human co-author.
- Key improvements needed for AI in mathematics include accurate confidence ratings for answers and more interactive platforms for human-AI collaboration, moving away from fully autonomous workflows.
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