GoKawiilNew book 'Big Math' traces math's rise to power modern AI breakthroughs
A review discusses 'Big Math: The Hidden Codes That Run Our World' by Steven Strogatz and Alex Townsend, which explores how mathematical techniques like the Fourier transform underpin technologies from radio signals to machine learning. The book opens with computer scientist Regina Barzilay's work developing a breast-cancer risk prediction model using machine learning after her own cancer treatment in 2014.
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The book's framing suggests that advances often credited solely to AI actually rest on decades-old mathematical foundations, which could reshape how the public understands recent technological progress. By highlighting applications like cancer detection, the authors appear to argue that mathematical tools historically used for commercial purposes could be redirected toward broader societal benefit.
- The book connects classical math concepts like Fourier transforms to modern AI applications.
- Regina Barzilay's cancer-detection work is used as a central example of math's practical impact.
- The authors argue mathematics increasingly underlies widespread aspects of daily life, dubbed 'big math.'
Big Math by Steven Strogatz & Alex Townsend — If the Fourier transform anecdote intrigued you, this book unpacks the hidden mathematical machinery behind everyday technology in an accessible, story-driven way. It's a great pick for anyone curious about how math quietly powers modern science and AI.
See Big Math by Steven Strogatz & Alex Townsend 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: nature.com — Ananthaswamy, 2026-11-09
Published there as: “AI has transformed maths — this is how we got here”
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