For centuries, mathematics has been a uniquely human endeavor of deep thought, creativity, and rigorous proof. But what if machines could not only check our work but also help us solve some of the most complex problems in the field? The latest generation of AI is poised to do just that, sparking a profound debate about the future of mathematics.
🤖 From Helper to Prover
The process of using computers to formally check mathematical proofs, known as formalization, has been a niche field for decades. However, powerful new AI tools are changing the game. Systems like Google DeepMind’s AlphaProof and Morph Labs’ Trinity are now showing they can automatically translate human-written proofs into a computer-checkable language and even construct parts of proofs themselves.
🤔 A Question of Trust
This new capability has revived an old argument in the math world. The first major theorem proven with a computer in 1976 was met with skepticism: how can something be truly proven if the core logic is hidden inside a machine? Proponents of AI now flip this argument, asking why we should trust the flawed, assumption-prone work of humans when a machine can offer perfect verification. However, many mathematicians remain skeptical, arguing that these tools still underestimate the creativity and subtlety of cutting-edge research.
⏳ A Transformation on the Horizon
Despite the debate, many experts believe a major shift is imminent. Professor Timothy Gowers at the University of Cambridge predicts that within the next one to five years, AI will bring changes to mathematics that rival the impact of email or Google. While some will embrace these tools creatively, others will keep their distance, but the potential for AI to tackle enormous, complex proofs could change the field forever.
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Wilkins, Alex. “Is AI about to change maths forever?” New Scientist, vol. 267, no. 3551, 12 July 2025, pp. 8-9.
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