OpenAI says its AI agents solved Navier-Stokes blow-up, a Millennium Prize Problem
Chris_Armstrong · x · 2026-09-14
OpenAI announced this week that its AI agents have answered the long-standing Navier-Stokes blow-up question: the equations, first written down roughly 200 years ago, do sometimes blow up — fluid regions can start moving infinitely fast out of nowhere. The implication is that the equations aren't a perfect description of fluids, not that real fluids will misbehave.
- The blow-up question is one of the Clay Millennium Prize Problems, carrying a $1 million reward
- New Scientist argues the real shock is how mathematics is done: AI is now a formidable tool for attacking hard problems, but figuring out how best to use it won't be easy
- The piece also cites Terence Tao's criticism that "AI companies are harming mathematics," reflecting community divisions
Related event: OpenAI Claims AI Agent Solved the Navier–Stokes Blow-up Problem(8 posts)→
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