Math PhD tells Terence Tao: existential AI anxiety is universal among mathematicians
flock49600209 · x · 2026-08-23
In an X exchange with Terence Tao (@littmath) and others, a math PhD argued that all of his grad school friends hold existential concerns for the field of mathematics, and that any active researcher's colleagues have surely expressed the same, regardless of personal feelings. The reply further noted that most mathematicians won't speak publicly on this, creating a bias in who does, and named several researchers who have joined the public conversation. The debate reflects ongoing division in mathematics over AI: having concerns about the field's future is not the same as arguing it should "close up shop."
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