Altman reveals OpenAI offered rivals first publication after finding they solved Euler but not Navier-Stokes
daniel_mac8 · x · 2026-09-09
Sam Altman detailed how OpenAI handled a parallel breakthrough on a major math problem: initially believing the other team had fully solved it, OpenAI proposed a joint release, then—upon learning the rivals had solved Euler but not Navier-Stokes—offered to let them publish first.
Altman praised team member Seb and others for acting with "integrity and generosity" throughout. danielmac8 notes OpenAI's relatable communication is becoming a real competitive advantage, while the episode also signals frontier models' progress on open math problems.
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