Advisory Group on Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence

On August 28, we began training a new internal model. In addition to resolving the Navier–Stokes Millennium Prize problem⁠, this model has now resolved more than 100 long-standing open problems across most areas of mathematics. The pace of its progress⁠ in mathematics has surprised the mathematicians within OpenAI. This has led to internal discussions on the best way to inform the community of the rapid progress to prepare and adapt the field.

Mathematics is a fundamental science, and novel discoveries may result in a wide range of applications. That makes the promise of these capabilities substantial, and their responsible development and deployment important beyond mathematics itself. We recognize this and are working through how broader deployment of math-related AI capabilities can be done responsibly.

Their criticisms highlight the need for thoughtful engagement of AI companies with the math community. To that end, we’re working with mathematicians who have established an independent mathematics advisory group. This group will serve as a bridge to the mathematical community and broader public, giving mathematicians a voice in how we move forward.

The group will advise on the review and communication of emerging results: they will help OpenAI assess their significance, advise on how to coordinate their dissemination, and advise on academic and professional standards of mathematical research. It will also advise on how our tools can support mathematical research and learning. We want to put capable tools in mathematicians’ hands so they can pursue the questions they know best and develop new ideas.

The group will operate independently from OpenAI. The group will have the freedom to offer advice we have not requested, comment on OpenAI’s impact on mathematics, and make its advice public. Its value depends on its members being able to exercise their own judgement and challenge ours. Its members will not be paid by OpenAI, and the group can change its membership as it sees fit. Importantly, the group will not be responsible for advising us on how to pace our internal progress on mathematics.

Working with this group is a first step. There are difficult questions ahead about how AI can support mathematical understanding and how the benefits of these capabilities can reach the wider community. We want mathematicians to be at the center of shaping the answers.