OpenAI has used artificial intelligence to solve the Navier-Stokes equations, a century-old mathematical problem, within just four days, causing concern among mathematicians about their future role in scientific research. Professor Terence Tao, a Fields Medal winner, expressed an existential crisis over this development, while other experts like Steven Strogatz from Cornell University question whether AI can truly replace human creativity and insight in mathematics. The article highlights the potential for AI to trivialize mathematical challenges but also raises concerns about the loss of human collaboration and discovery in solving complex problems.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
OpenAI made headlines by using 10,000 AI agents to solve one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems, specifically the Navier-Stokes equations, which deal with fluid dynamics and carry a $1 million prize. The solution was reached within 88 hours starting on August 28, proving that under extreme conditions, the equations can break down and produce physically impossible results. This achievement sparked controversy, as mathematician Tristan Buckmaster accused OpenAI of encroaching on work he had contributed to, though OpenAI denied these allegations. The incident highlights the growing role of AI in solving complex mathematical problems, raising questions about the future role of human mathematicians in scientific research.
Written for “AI Solving Math Problems” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
What AI means for the fate of mathematics
AI generated
asserted
means → mean → mathematics
NEW YORK - OpenAI has rattled the quiet world of mathematics by using artificial intelligence to solve a major, century-old problem, raising the question of what role mathematicians will play in scientific research going forward.
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mathematicians → rattle → research
Earlier in September, thousands of its AI agents worked together to solve the Navier-Stokes equations – which generations of mathematicians have tried to tackle – in a matter of four days.
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generations → work → days
UCLA professor Terence Tao, who has won the elite Fields Medal recognising the world’s most esteemed mathematicians, told AFP: “I am currently completely overwhelmed with an existential crisis in my field.”
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I → win → field
The recent shake-up to the field is the latest in a series of instances of AI making mathematical breakthroughs in 2026.
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AI → make → 2026
“If they did choose to study the questions that we find interesting in research, they would be very easy.
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they → choose → research
They could solve those problems easily,” said Steven Strogatz, a Cornell University professor for the public understanding of science and mathematics.
uncertain
Strogatz → solve → science
Antonio Auffinger, a Northwestern University math professor, said that just a year ago, “hallucinations were happening all the time,” but nowadays, “AI can produce long chain arguments,” without wandering off course.
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AI → say → course
In January, Elon Musk – the world’s richest man and an AI chief himself through SpaceXAI – predicted mathematics would be “crushed,” saying “math is going to be extremely trivial for AI” on a podcast.
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math → predict → podcast
Yet, while Northwestern University math professor Benjamin Antieau said there is “awe and amazement” for the feat, “in this particular case, they were following in the footsteps of other mathematicians who’d been developing this programmatic approach to this particular class of problems for many, many years.”
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who → say → years
In this case, the AI mainly followed two Spanish researchers, who were also the inspiration for mathematicians Tristan Buckmaster and Levent Alpoge – who claim they came close to the solution before OpenAI’s breakthrough and are now questioning if their work was plagiarised – a charge the AI tech giant denies.
uncertain
giant → follow → breakthrough
That’s not the only issue with OpenAI’s calculations.
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That → ’ → calculations
“The flag is captured, the goal scored, and the problem is solved; but at the cost of lessons learned, insights gained, collaborations formed, and new targets located,” Tao wrote on Mastodon.
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Tao → capture → Mastodon
Tao was among 25 Fields Medal laureates who signed a letter on Sept 11 to warn of a potential “destructive effect” by AI on the field of mathematics.
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who → sign → mathematics
To boot, Stanford University professor Mohammed Abouzaid said the technology’s lack of imagination is apparent.
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lack → say → imagination
“We are still not seeing the kind of leaps of creativity that really involve creating new mathematics, and maybe the labs are going to make that their next target, and that would be very interesting to see,” Abouzaid said.
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Abouzaid → see → mathematics
Anima Anandkumar, a Caltech professor working at the intersection of mathematics and AI, succeeded with her team in solving a simplified form of the Navier-Stokes equations (known as Euler equations) using an AI model that did not rely on prior works from researchers.
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that → work → researchers
This AI was not like the ones powering ChatGPT or Claude, but rather a physics-informed neural network (PINN) model, which combines data with the laws of physics.
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which → power → physics
“So, you could think of OpenAI as being more reliant on humans than we are in some sense,” she said.
uncertain
she → think → sense
However, Anandkumar notes that the model still had to be designed and tested.
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model → note → ?
Auffinger said he does not foresee a time when AI tools “would be able to provide answers for any questions that you ask” and that human mathematicians will continue to “play a huge role because it’s not about how to go from point A to point B.”
“It’s about asking the questions that will help society as a whole,” he explained.
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he → say → whole
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