GoKawiilCaltech to host first hackathon focused on research-level mathematics on Oct 30
Caltech is organizing a 40-hour event called Mathathon, running October 30 to November 1, where about 100 teams will use frontier AI models with over $2 million in compute credits to tackle open mathematical conjectures. Teams will present their findings to leading mathematicians, who will judge their understanding and rigor, with prizes awarded initially and again later once results are independently verified by the math community.
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The event follows several recent AI-assisted breakthroughs on decades-old open problems in pure mathematics, suggesting AI could dramatically compress the timeline from idea to verified proof. It also forces a reckoning with what role human mathematicians play when machines can generate and explore conjectures at speed, making this hackathon a real-world test of collaborative human-AI mathematical research.
- Caltech's Mathathon is billed as the first hackathon dedicated to research-level mathematics.
- Roughly 100 teams will get frontier AI models and $2M+ in compute credits to solve open problems over 40 hours.
- Winners are chosen twice: first for presentation quality, then later once mathematicians verify the results.
Rhodia Dot Grid Notepad — Even when frontier AI models are drafting proofs, someone still has to sketch the diagram and check the argument by hand. Rhodia's dot grid pads are a favorite for mathematicians because the light dots guide equations and figures without boxing you in, and the sheets tear off cleanly to pass around a team table. Perfect for a 40-hour push at an open conjecture.
See Rhodia Dot Grid Notepad 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: mathathonchallenge.com, 2026-09-07
Published there as: “Caltech Mathathon – first hackathon ever devoted to research level mathematics”
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