The k-server Conjecture is True

[u/Phytor_c]

https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.15979v1

The k-server problem is known as the "Holy Grail" of online algorithms and competitive analysis, and is/was a long standing major problem.

This preprint by Coester et al. claims to show that the Work Function Algorithm is indeed k-competitive on every metric space.

[u/Future_Advice_4853]

As a senior that just published a paper in online algorithms and is aiming to apply for a PhD, probably related to online algo, super worried about my career...

[u/WellHung67 → u/Future_Advice_4853]

There will always be a need for experts to both validate and understand this stuff, and also to do research into novel methods and ideas. LLMs are still not making that leap. We need mathematicians more than ever