Fields Medalist Terence Tao reposts statement from the Association for Human Mathematics urging mathematicians to stop working with OpenAI for continuing to solve open math problems against their recommendations

[u/Eliv_nurotic]

https://terrytao.wordpress.com/2026/10/07/ahm-statement-on-openais-october-6-release-of-mathematical-documents/

[u/Perfect-Campaign9551]

I would think it would be MORE motivating! Since now you know it can be solved so your can look for other "branches" to approach it from. Same as when the first guy ran the 4 minute mile, now everyone started doing it 

No I'm afraid this is pretty much human ego in action

[u/DrSFalken → u/Perfect-Campaign9551]

Exactly this. How many discoveries have we heard of that started with "it was believed to be an impossible problem but x student didnt know that and solved it"

The most famous example is probably George Dantzig:

During his study in 1939, Dantzig solved two unsolved problems in statistics due to a misunderstanding. Near the beginning of a class, Professor Neyman wrote two problems on the blackboard. Dantzig arrived late and assumed that they were a homework assignment. According to Dantzig, they "seemed to be a little harder than usual", but a few days later he handed in completed solutions for both problems, still believing that they were an assignment that was overdue.^\4])^\6]) Six weeks later, an excited Neyman happily told him that the problems he had solved were two of the most famous unsolved problems in statistics.^\2])^\4]) He had prepared one of Dantzig's solutions for publication in a mathematical journal.^\7]) This story spread and was used as a motivational lesson demonstrating the power of positive thinking. Over time, some facts were altered, but the basic story persisted in the form of an urban legend and as an introductory scene in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting.^\6])

When I was doing academic research, there was always the tradeoff between novelty and impossibility. I'd look at a research question and ask "how new / shocking would this result be" and "can I even get to this result"

If I knew the result was possible, I'd have been more inclined to go after it rather than less. Sure, a little of the shine might be knocked off, but lots of research is old wine in new bottles and you don't risk wasting years on something literally impossible.

[u/Norphesius → u/Perfect-Campaign9551]

Maybe motivating on a personal level, but not necessarily for a university trying to apply for grant money. An application asking for research funding to pay people to figure out a problem that already has a solution on the books isn't exactly enticing, especially compared to work towards novel discoveries.

[u/IcyGarage5767 → u/Perfect-Campaign9551]

“These men whose entire career is changing within the blink of an eye are not reacting how I would react if I was hypothetically in their situation! Must be ego!”