Mathematicians issue declaration: AI companies' benchmark-chasing harms the science of math
AlbertQJiang · x · 2026-09-12
- A declaration from the math community (Math and AI) argues that while LLMs' mathematical abilities have improved dramatically—now solving major open problems—the push by AI companies to treat solving math problems as a benchmark is detrimental to mathematics and severely misaligned with the community's goals.
- The declaration explains that famous problems serve as landmarks: their value lies in the insights and methods they generate, refined through years of talks, discussion, and simplification until they reach textbooks and, eventually, society at large. AI companies have zero incentive to enable that diffusion beyond creating hype.
- The declaration frames this as part of a broader misalignment affecting other scientific and creative professions. Albert Jiang adds that it's mathematicians' job—not AI companies'—to spread mathematics' unreasonable effectiveness, and that the field can now sieve out egoists and welcome genuine appreciators.
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