Cornell Prof Steven Strogatz: Mathematicians Need 'Rizz' to Stand Out in the AI Era
stevenstrogatz · x · 2026-10-29
Cornell math professor Steven Strogatz argued in a podcast conversation with Grant Sanderson that mathematicians need 'rizz' in the AI era. As AI handles the geeky legwork of complex problems, future PhDs won't be differentiated by pure problem-solving ability — uniquely human qualities like taste, persuasion, and personal brand will matter more. Sanderson added that 'mathematical rizz' is what will be selected for as OpenAI floods math with proposed solutions.
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