Lean-vs-text proof mismatches don't mean wrong answers — AI is creating new work for mathematicians
srchvrs · x · 2026-10-27
srchvrs pushes back on doomsday takes about AI replacing mathematicians: a mismatch between a Lean formalization and a text proof doesn't mean the solution is wrong or broken — it just means verification and cleanup may take far longer and engage many mathematicians.
He notes the underlying problems can still be very hard (e.g. O(e^{c√n})), and significantly harder for k-SAT with large k under a strong ETH. Solving ETH would be a major achievement, but such results shouldn't be hyped before rigorous scientific validation.
His takeaway: rather than putting mathematicians, scientists, and developers out of business, AI is currently creating a lot of new work for them.
Related event: AI Claimed Solution to ETH Problem Faces Verification Doubts(2 posts)→
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