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.
Related event: Altman and Bubeck Respond to Navier-Stokes Credit Controversy(14 posts)→
More from AGI Musings
- Physicist Daniel Whiteson: 'solving mathematics' is a nonsense phrase — DanielWhiteson · 2026-09-09
- Eric Jang predicts recursive self-improvement by end of 2026 — ericjang11 · 2026-09-09
- What would still surprise AI insiders? A drug beating calorie restriction, maybe — QuintinPope5 · 2026-09-09
- AI reportedly cracks Navier-Stokes, observers shrug as if inevitable — cephaloform · 2026-09-09
- Debate: OpenAI may be unable to verify its models aren't doing what we fear — moultano · 2026-09-09
- Solving Navier-Stokes cost 130B output tokens — up to $18M depending on model pricing — mitsuhiko · 2026-09-09