Mathematicians’ Latest Problem: What if A.I. Can Do Our Job?
The Daily

Mathematicians’ Latest Problem: What if A.I. Can Do Our Job?

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 13, 202633 min
  • Technology

Artificial intelligence has gone from struggling with basic arithmetic to helping solve some of mathematics’ most famous open problems — and the field is reckoning with what that means. Steven Strogatz, a professor of mathematics at Cornell University, describes the excitement and grief of watching A.I. take on work that gives people a sense of purpose — and asks what could be lost if machines deliver answers without the human struggle, insight and understanding that make solving problems meaningful. Guest: Steven Strogatz, a professor of mathematics at Cornell University who writes for The New York Times about...

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This morning, one of the hardest problems in mathematics may have just been solved,

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So many people are freaked out about AI taking their jobs, and now you can add mathematicians

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0:00

Hi, this is Lori Liebovich, editor of WELL at The New York Times. Everything that our readers get when they dig into a WELL article has been vetted. Our reporters are consulting experts doing the research so that you can make great decisions about your physical health and your mental health.

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We take our reporting extra seriously because we know New York Times subscribers are counting on us. If you already subscribed, thank you. If you'd like to subscribe, go to nytimes.com slash subscribe.

0:32

From the New York Times, I'm Rachel Abrams, and this is The Daily. This morning, one of the hardest problems in mathematics may have just been solved, not by a human, but by artificial intelligence. So many people are freaked out about AI taking their jobs, and now you can add mathematicians

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