Top mathematician pens essay on how the math profession should adapt to highly capable AI
littmath · x · 2026-09-15
Mathematician littmath has published a long-form essay on how the mathematics profession should adapt to highly capable AI systems. His core argument: even if AI produces brilliant expositions, it won't motivate you to read and understand them, or help you figure out what you're interested in — functions that are primarily institutional, and institutions will remain mostly composed of humans. He suggests mathematicians should build research groups and give talks to incentivize genuine understanding, rather than competing with AI on producing written material.
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