OpenAI announces three major scientific discoveries with academic guidance

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

OpenAI says its AI models have made discoveries in mathematics, computer science and physics, working with external experts.

OpenAI has announced three major scientific discoveries made by its AI models in mathematics, computer science and physics. The discoveries include proving the local smoothing conjecture in harmonic analysis in every spatial dimension for the first time, according to the company. Researchers had previously only proved the theory in three dimensions. A second discovery concerns complexity theory, with AI models producing a deterministic algorithm that exactly counts satisfying assignments of fixed-width CNF formulas in subexponential time, which refutes the Exponential Time Hypothesis.

The approach differs from OpenAI's previous mass release of manuscripts. This time, external experts described as "shepherds" are guiding the results in computer science and physics. For the mathematics problem, external advisers recommended that OpenAI release the AI output for researchers to work through their own explanations. However, an advisory panel of mathematics experts warned yesterday that "AI companies do not adopt" the practice of designating certain people to receive output first, citing unequal access, borrowed reputation and biased selection as potential issues.

Alex Iosevich, a mathematics professor at the University of Rochester specialising in harmonic analysis, told Al Jazeera he viewed the local smoothing conjecture proof as a "historic development". The conjecture was formulated by his PhD adviser, Chris Sogge. Iosevich said he expected the field of theoretical mathematics to "change drastically" due to AI, though he acknowledged that some theoretical mathematicians felt mixed emotions about the development.

How it is being reported

• AI makes discoveries in mathematics, computer science, physics, OpenAI saysOpenAI's announcement is the latest in a series of claimed scientific breakthroughs credited to AI.Al Jazeera · 27 Oct, 05:01
• OpenAI announces three big science discoveries and a new way to work with academicsLess than a month after its mass release of hundreds of manuscripts that it said contained solutions to long-standing mathematics questions, OpenAI is back with three more "major" discoveries in math, computer science, and physics. What's different this time is the choice to have external experts that OpenAI describes as "shepherds" guiding the results in […]The Verge · 26 Oct, 23:34

In this story: OpenAI · Russell Impagliazzo · Ramamohan Paturi · Ryan Williams · Alex Iosevich · Chris Sogge · University of Rochester

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