Why Study Math When AI Can Prove Theorems? A Professor's Take
stevenstrogatz · x · 2026-08-21
Mathematician Francis Su addresses student anxiety about the value of a math education in an age where AI models are increasingly solving open problems and constructing proofs with minimal human intervention.
Citing recent breakthroughs, including Anthropic's progress on the Riemann Conjecture, Su acknowledges the valid concerns about the future of human mathematicians. He argues that the true purpose of math education extends beyond technical problem-solving skills; it cultivates intellectual "virtues"—the ability to navigate ambiguity, pursue truth, and find meaning. The essay offers a perspective on how to view a math career not just as a competition with AI, but as a development of distinctly human capacities.
Related event: Mathematician Francis Su on Why Math Still Matters in the AI Era(3 posts)→
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