OpenAI says it solved a decades-old math problem with thousands of agents

OpenAI says it found a proof for the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem, one of mathematics’ major challenges, using thousands of artificial intelligence agents. The problem involves equations created to describe fluid flow and asks whether they can imply a fluid explosion under unrealistic conditions. Although the equations have engineering applications, solving the puzzle would not directly help design a more aerodynamic airplane wing.

Mathematicians told Wired that mathematics often involves creative, deliberate exploration, closer to art than to finding the fastest answer. They say OpenAI’s brute-force approach shortcuts that process and could weaken human understanding, even if the solution may generate new mathematical ideas.