Rivka Galchen / New Yorker : A profile of UCLA professor Terence Tao, who was once enthusiastic about AI's role in math but now warns of AI destroying the field's deliberative process — A.I. is solving problems that stumped the field for decades. Mathematicians look to Terence Tao for guidance on their altered world.
A profile of UCLA professor Terence Tao, who was once enthusiastic about AI's role in math but now warns of AI destroying the field's deliberative process (Rivka Galchen/New Yorker)
In short
Artificial intelligence has achieved the ability to solve longstanding mathematical problems that once confounded experts for decades. Although Terence Tao previously embraced the technology's integration into the discipline, he now warns that automated tools risk dismantling the slow deliberative process foundational to mathematical inquiry. Facing an altered professional landscape, fellow mathematicians are increasingly turning to the UCLA professor for direction.
Key points
- The rapid progression of artificial intelligence is actively disrupting traditional workf…: The rapid progression of artificial intelligence is actively disrupting traditional workflows across the mathematical field.
- Automated problem-solving poses a direct threat to the deeply deliberative process essent…: Automated problem-solving poses a direct threat to the deeply deliberative process essential to mathematics.
- The academic community relies on respected figures like Terence Tao to navigate the rise…: The academic community relies on respected figures like Terence Tao to navigate the rise of advanced technologies.