AI Breakthrough: Large Language Models Tackle Thousands of Unsolved Erdős Problems
AI
Large Language Models
Mathematics
OpenAI
ChatGPT
Erdős Problems
Formalization
AI Tools
9
Accelerated Discovery
Media Hype
8/10
Real Impact
9/10
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We evaluate each news story based on its real impact versus its media hype to offer a clear and objective perspective.
AI Analysis:
While the initial hype around AI’s capabilities is significant, the concrete, measurable progress – the sheer number of solved problems and the adoption of these tools by prominent mathematicians – indicates a genuinely transformative development with a high likelihood of sustained impact.
Article Summary
OpenAI’s GPT 5.2 is causing a significant shift in the perception of AI’s capabilities in mathematics. Initially focused on problem-solving, the model has recently achieved a notable success in tackling over one thousand unsolved conjectures by the Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdős. This is largely due to the sheer volume of solved problems, now exceeding 15, after the release of GPT 5.2, which is considered ‘anecdotally more skilled at mathematical reasoning’ than previous iterations. The model isn’t just identifying solutions; it’s formalizing them with tools like Harmonic, even engaging with established mathematicians like Terence Tao and Tudor Achim, founders of Harmonic, who are now seeing these tools embraced by leading academics. The progress is driven by a combination of factors including formalization— a laborious process now aided by AI — and the model’s ability to leverage information from sources like Math Overflow and, crucially, to recognize patterns within the vast collection of Erdős problems. This isn’t merely about speed; it’s a fundamental reassessment of how AI can contribute to human knowledge creation.Key Points
- Large language models, specifically GPT 5.2, are successfully solving complex mathematical problems like the Erdős conjectures.
- The increased number of solved problems— exceeding 15— demonstrates a significant advancement in AI's mathematical reasoning abilities.
- Mathematicians and researchers are increasingly utilizing AI tools, such as Harmonic and ChatGPT, to formalize and verify mathematical solutions.