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Strogatz and Townsend: Math progress needs human trial-and-error, not just AI solutions

Applied mathematicians argue the creative process behind mathematical discovery matters as much as the answers AI can produce.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 1d ago6 pieces2 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswiresHacker News

What to know

  • Applied mathematicians warn against viewing mathematics as a problem-solving game for AI to win.
  • The human creative process—trial, error, and exploration—has historically been central to mathematical progress.
  • Solutions alone do not constitute the full value of mathematical discovery.

Steven StrogatzSteven Strogatz Applied mathematicianAlex Townsend Applied mathematician

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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Sep 22yesterdaynow · 12:58 AM ET
  1. 1

    Strogatz and Townsend publish essay on AI and mathematical progress

    Applied mathematicians Steven Strogatz and Alex Townsend published an essay in the New York Times arguing that the human process of trial and error in mathematics has been historically central to progress, warning against viewing mathematics as merely a problem-solving game for AI.

    “In our field of applied mathematics, the long, human process of trial and error — not just the solutions themselves — is often what has led to progress.”
    — Steven Strogatz and Alex Townsend

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets Mathematics Isn’t Just a Game to Let A.I. Solve. History Shows Why.

    first by NYT, 1d ago · also NYT Science, New York Times