# AI cracks century-old math problem

> OpenAI solves Navier-Stokes equations in four days, sparking debate over mathematicians' future role
- Title: AI cracks century-old math problem · Malay Mail | Shortify
- Summary: OpenAI solves Navier-Stokes equations in four days, sparking debate over mathematicians' future role AI solved a 100-year-old math problem but human…
- Keywords: navier-stokes, openai, mathematics, terence tao, fields medal, mathematicians, ai breakthrough, math problem, century-old, news, world, cracks
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/life/2026/09/18/maths-midlife-crisis-ai-solves-in-four-days-what-stumped-mathematicians-for-a-century/235502
- Published: 2026-09-18T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: navier-stokes, openai, ai, mathematics, terence tao, fields medal, mathematicians, ai breakthrough, math problem, century-old, news, world
## AI solves century-old math problem
OpenAI's robots solved the Navier-Stokes equations in four days, a problem mathematicians have struggled with for a century.

> I am currently completely overwhelmed with an existential crisis in my field
## Mathematicians' existential crisis
UCLA professor Terence Tao, a Fields Medal winner, described an existential crisis in mathematics after AI solved a century-old problem.

> I am currently completely overwhelmed with an existential crisis in my field
## AI's rapid progress
AI agents solved the Navier-Stokes equations in four days, following patterns developed by Spanish researchers over decades.

> They were following in the footsteps of other mathematicians who'd been developing this programmatic approach
## Plagiarism concerns
Tristan Buckmaster and Levent Alpoge claim their work was plagiarized by OpenAI's AI, though the company denies this.

> They claim they came close to the solution before OpenAIs breakthrough and are now questioning if their work was plagiarized
## Human creativity debate
Experts warn AI lacks the creative leaps needed for true mathematical innovation, though it can solve existing problems efficiently.

> We are still not seeing the kind of leaps of creativity that really involve creating new mathematics
## Physics-informed AI
Caltech's Anima Anandkumar used a physics-informed neural network to solve simplified Navier-Stokes equations without prior research.

> So you could think of OpenAI as being more reliant on humans than we are in some sense
## AI's limitations
AI can produce long chain arguments but still requires human guidance for creative problem framing and meaningful questions.

> It's about asking the questions that will help society as a whole
## Future of math
Mathematicians will continue to play a crucial role in posing meaningful questions, not just solving existing problems.

> It's about asking the questions that will help society as a whole
## Key takeaway

AI solved a 100-year-old math problem but human mathematicians remain essential for creative problem framing