Declaration — Math and AI
mathandai.org
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This declaration was made September 10th. It has over 5000 signatures now.

Over the last few months, the mathematical capabilities of LLMs have improved dramatically, to the point that they can solve major outstanding problems in many fields of mathematics. However, the push by AI companies to solve mathematical problems as a benchmark is detrimental to the science of mathematics, and to the mathematical community. The goals of the AI companies and the goals of the mathematical community are severely misaligned. We see these as part of broader alignment issues impacting other scientific and creative professions, as well as the whole of society. more

  • CombatWombat@feddit.onlineEnglish
    14·
    6 days ago

    This is the same argument as why you shouldn’t use an LLM to do your homework. The goal of doing the problems isn’t to solve the problems (we can see they are already solved, the universe exists and calculates all kinds of exotic math all the time), it is for humans to understand the math

    In recent months, the success of AI in solving major mathematical problems has made headlines even outside mathematical circles. But solving problems is only a tool and proxy for achieving the primary goal of conceptual understanding and insight. Forgetting this in the world of AI may turn the tool against the primary goal. Indeed, the mass production at faster and faster pace of “true/false” statements could destroy fertile ground instead of breathing life into new ideas.

    • corvus@lemmy.ml
      22·
      6 days ago

      You shouldn’t use an LLM to do your homework but you can certainly use it to learn and clarify things you don’t understand. I teach math and physics and tested local LLMs for learning and I can say they really help, at least in these subjects. The best option is to learn from books and making your homework, but when you’re stuck with something that you don’t understand, ask a good LLM to clarify things, give examples and context. I tested myself while learning about differential geometry and relativity, it really speeds up the learning process and understanding. But don’t use them as a primary source, nothing beats a good book and practice on that. I wish there was something like that when I was in college, I wouldn’t have carried some misunderstandings so many years. Being just a tool it’s up to you if you use it responsibly or not, as any other tool.