GoKawiilAI-assisted proof of 51-year-old Spherical Hadwiger Conjecture published by Hunan University researchers
Mathematicians Wang and Wu of Hunan University released a preprint proving the Spherical Hadwiger Conjecture, an integral-geometry problem unsolved since 1974, using OpenAI Codex to help develop proof details, spot gaps, and draft the manuscript. The authors say they verified all AI-generated mathematical content themselves and take full responsibility for the final result, following disclosure practices similar to the Leiden Declaration guidelines for AI use in research.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The disclosure suggests AI tools are moving beyond formatting and literature search into substantive proof construction, a task long considered to require deep specialist expertise. Coming the same week Claude formalized a Lean proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, it signals accelerating AI involvement in frontier mathematics research, raising questions about verification standards and credit as such collaborations become more common.
- Wang & Wu's preprint claims to resolve the Spherical Hadwiger Conjecture, open since 1974.
- OpenAI Codex reportedly helped develop proof details and identify gaps, not just edit text.
- The paper hasn't been fully independently verified yet, though early review suggests it is credible and well-written.
Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh — If the mention of Fermat's Last Theorem being formalized in Lean piqued your curiosity, Simon Singh's classic account tells the human story behind the centuries-long chase and Andrew Wiles's proof. It's a great companion read for anyone wondering what AI-assisted mathematics is now stepping into.
See Fermat's Last Theorem by Simon Singh on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: mbmccoy.dev — Mike Mccoy, 2026-09-06
Published there as: “Is mathematics about to enter the conservatory?”
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