AI solves 10 decade-old math problems for $2,000, sparking debate on human judgment

cen6wkf · reddit · 2026-08-09

During a panel discussion, experts revealed that AI solved 10 decade-old, previously-unsolved math problems for just $2,000 in compute, producing machine-checkable proofs. A Fields Medalist recommended one of the proofs for publication without hesitation, and Emad Mostaque remarked, "It's a bad time to be a pure mathematician."

The author analyzes that AI's demonstrated "correctness" isn't the scarcest resource; human "engineering judgment" (catching critical flaws before they manifest) remains the irreplaceable barrier. This mirrors the broader trend of AI automating entry-level execution while human judgment and taste continue to drive core decisions.

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