Live from ICM 2026: What Is Math For in the Age of AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly involved in mathematics, with systems now capable of generating proofs, identifying connections between unrelated fields, and solving problems that have challenged mathematicians for years.

This shift was highlighted at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2026 in Philadelphia, where experts discussed AI's impact.

For example, in 2024, an AI called AlphaProof achieved a silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), a competition for high-school students solving six problems over two days.

In 2025, a more advanced model, DeepThink, claimed a gold medal.

These developments have sparked debates about AI's capabilities and its potential to reshape the creative and problem-solving aspects of mathematics, traditionally seen as human endeavors.