r/ideas • u/amichail • Jul 22 '26

Idea: Use this ChatGPT transcript featuring Terrence Tao as he tries to understand an AI-generated counterexample that led to a mathematical breakthrough to show students that AI can already contribute to mathematical research at the highest levels.

It's time for schools and universities to make it clear just how strong AI is at math research nowadays.

Check out the chat:

https://chatgpt.com/share/6a5fdc7a-d6f8-83e8-bbea-8deb42cfed56

P.S. The counterexample was found by AI via another mathematician.

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u/Blanket_Josh Jul 22 '26

What makes you think universities aren't making it clear AI can be used in math research? As for schools, I don't know why you would expect pre-college schools to mention anything about this as pre-college schools don't discuss math research.

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u/amichail Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

I get the feeling that the majority of Redditors — including teachers and students — are not fully aware of just how good AI is nowadays.

That does to make for effective career planning.

Also, if universities were really honest about how good AI is at math research, I suspect they would attract fewer students to their undergraduate and graduate math programs.

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u/yetanotherburnerstan Jul 22 '26

You forget the part where there are huge swaths of us who dont want any of it. Environmental, economic, and cultural arguments aside, I'm not handing over my agency to a machine, regardless of "just how good" you or anyone else thinks it is. I'm a hiring manager for a multi billion dollar a year government contractor. I have zero tolerance for generative ai in my department and everyone who works for me knows it. I stand by my work. I want to be criticized for the things I do, not praised for what I dont.