François Chollet: math students no longer want to be mathematicians as AI crushes spirits
fchollet · x · 2026-09-12
François Chollet reports a common sentiment among math students — "I don't want to become a mathematician anymore" — likening them to the 2022 digital-artist generation that may be the last. He clarifies it's not about what AI can or can't do, but how young people feel: AI may not functionally replace them, yet could still cause near-extinction of these professions by crushing younger generations' spirits.
Related event: Chollet: Math Students No Longer Want to Be Mathematicians Due to AI(2 posts)→
More from AGI Musings
- Chess analogy reignites AI doom debate: no step-by-step path doesn't mean no checkmate — harris_edouard · 2026-09-12
- AI Safety Debate: Fail-Closed Mechanisms Fail If the Button Stays With the Labs — AryHHAry · 2026-09-12
- Yampolskiy: Superintelligence needs no body to wipe out 99% of humanity — romanyam · 2026-09-12
- Debating the mathematician letter: can AI search be indexed for serendipity instead of goodharted? — curious_vii · 2026-09-12
- Redditors push back on researchers' 10% AI extinction odds: what's the actual scenario? — Fit-Stress3300 · 2026-09-12
- "My mom watches AI slop soap operas on Facebook Reels on repeat — and defends them" — mallow610 · 2026-09-12