New Scientist · 7 Sep, 16:11 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

I made a free AI chatbot solve a decade-long maths problem in 13 minutes

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent report highlights an instance where an individual utilised a freely available artificial intelligence chatbot to resolve a complex mathematical problem that had remained unsolved for ten years. The solution was reportedly generated in just thirteen minutes. This event underscores the rapidly evolving capabilities of large language models in handling high-level abstract reasoning tasks. It serves as a factual indicator of how generative AI tools are increasingly capable of assisting with, or potentially solving, intricate intellectual challenges previously reserved for specialist human expertise.

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Your move

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This development signals that routine analytical tasks are becoming increasingly automated. You must pivot from being a solver of standard problems to a curator of complex challenges. Critical thinking and the ability to verify AI outputs now outweigh pure computational speed. Professionals in data science, engineering, and research should immediately integrate AI into their workflows to augment their capabilities. Do not ignore this shift; instead, learn to prompt effectively and understand the limitations of these tools. Your career security depends on your ability to leverage AI for strategic advantage rather than viewing it as a competitor. Start experimenting with these tools today to stay ahead of the curve in your field.

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