Is mathematics over, or just graduating?
16 hours ago
- The author's early life revolved around math competitions, leading to a sense of emptiness after they ended.
- Mathematics is likened to exploring an unmapped wilderness, with tasks of mapping terrain, finding resources, and creating tools.
- Mathematicians are explorers who gain recognition for conquering difficult problems (mountains), with tools and practical applications valued less.
- AI in mathematics is currently like early airplanes: primitive but rapidly improving, capable of solving some conjectures.
- Mathematicians are upset by AI 'planting flags' on problems, but this ignores the potential for AI to advance further.
- The future will see AI mapping entire mathematical terrains, leading to commercial exploitation and a loss of the old exploration culture.
- Many mathematicians will experience a loss of purpose similar to the author's post-competition grief, but mathematics will evolve into a full-scale industry.
- Skeptics of AI's capabilities are outdated; evidence shows rapid progress, and the field will shift from individual heroism to guiding AI and explaining discoveries.