soft question - Is this an even worse moment for a math career? - MathOverflow
Is this an even worse moment for a math career?
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$\begingroup$
Some time ago I asked this question about planning a pure math career today (without being a genius).
I just saw that the Unit Distance Problem has been solved by a machine, and generally that a lot of people are writing posts about AI results in mathematics in recent months.
I am a bit confused, because outside social media (and sometimes newspapers), everything seems business as usual in my life as a PhD student and in what I really see around me, not only where I study, but also in places where I went (for conferences or visits). I'm still spending my time as I would have done in 2020 had I been pursuing a PhD then. And I love it. I'm learning things at my pace and the environment around me is encouraging and constructive.
So my question: what kind of update would you give to the older question?
soft-question<br>career<br>artificial-intelligence
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edited 1 hour ago
asked 1 hour ago
Daryl
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$\endgroup$
$\begingroup$<br>From reading the orginal question and some of the answers, it doesn't seem to me like many of the answers would have changed too much?<br>$\endgroup$
Racso
Racso
2026-05-20 21:04:16 +00:00
Commented<br>1 hour ago
$\begingroup$<br>May I ask what your answer is then?<br>$\endgroup$
Daryl
Daryl
2026-05-20 21:05:32 +00:00
Commented<br>1 hour ago
$\begingroup$<br>I was mainly thinking that Martin's and Will's answers, to name just two, still seem very relevant to me. More broadly, I appreciated your original question and the many thoughtful answers it received. I'm a grad student as well, and I share many of the concerns you raised. I find recent advances in AI somewhat disheartening, especially in relation to math, but I also love learning mathematics, teaching, and being part of the community, so I suppose I’ll make the most of this time and see what the future holds.<br>$\endgroup$
Racso
Racso
2026-05-20 21:31:33 +00:00
Commented<br>39 mins ago
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