GoKawiilOpenAI and Anthropic both claim AI-generated refutations of the Exponential Time Hypothesis
OpenAI published solutions to three long-standing math problems, including a disputed refutation of the Exponential Time Hypothesis, a foundational assumption in computational complexity theory. Anthropic mathematician Levent Alpöge suggested OpenAI's proof drew on prior work, and Anthropic then released its own version of the refutation hours later. Unlike earlier releases, OpenAI varied its disclosure approach by field, with mathematicians getting a GitHub dump while computer scientists and physicists formed working groups to manage public discussion and verification.
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The dueling claims highlight tension over how AI labs should introduce major theoretical results into academic fields without proper peer review, according to critics like MIT's Ryan Williams, who previously likened OpenAI's proof dumps to a 'DDOS attack on mathematicians.' Williams' decision to still collaborate with OpenAI suggests researchers see value in shaping norms around AI-assisted proofs even while distrusting the rollout process. The episode could signal emerging friction between AI labs racing to claim scientific breakthroughs and the scientific community's need for rigorous, transparent validation.
- OpenAI released solutions to three major math problems, including a disputed ETH refutation.
- Anthropic quickly published a competing refutation after an Anthropic researcher questioned OpenAI's originality.
- Computer scientists, led by MIT's Ryan Williams, are forming a working group to vet and discuss the claims publicly.
Source: techcrunch.com — Tim Fernholz, 2026-10-27
Published there as: “Frontier AI labs say their models refuted the Exponential Time Hypothesis. What does that mean?”
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