2026年5月，OpenAI 宣布其内部人工智慧模型成功为保罗·艾狄胥于1946年提出的「单位距离」问题找到了反例。这是历史上首次由人工智慧提供具有重大数学意义的证明，该模型创新地运用了代数数论的技巧来解决这个难题。随后，该模型又解决了更多艾狄胥提出的问题，这让许多数学家认为人工智慧在数学能力上经历了重大的相变，正深刻改变数学研究的进行方式。
这一连串突破的背后，英国数学家托马斯·布鲁姆功不可没。他在2023年建立了一个专门收集艾狄胥遗留问题的网站，并随后加入了评论功能，意外促成了一个高度民主化的线上社群。在这个平台上，无论是业余爱好者、大学生，还是像陶哲轩这样顶尖的数学家，都能够在平等的基础上交流合作，并开始利用公开的大型语言模型解决了一些较为简单的艾狄胥问题。
随著人工智慧能力的提升，数学界的生态正在发生根本性的转变。对许多业余爱好者而言，人工智慧不仅提升了他们解决问题的效率，也让数学研究变得更加有趣且容易亲近。然而，一些资深数学家则认为，既然机器已经能解决这些难题，继续研究便失去了挑战性与意义；这种趋势甚至促使一些获得菲尔兹奖等最高荣誉的顶尖数学家离开学术界，转而投身于人工智慧科技公司。
In May 2026, OpenAI announced that its internal artificial intelligence model had successfully found a counterexample to the "unit distance" problem proposed by Paul Erdős in 1946. This marked the first time in history that an AI provided a proof of significant mathematical importance, innovatively applying techniques from algebraic number theory to tackle the challenge. The model subsequently solved even more problems posed by Erdős, leading many mathematicians to conclude that AI has undergone a major phase transition in its mathematical capabilities and is profoundly changing the way mathematical research is conducted.
Behind this series of breakthroughs, British mathematician Thomas Bloom played a crucial role. In 2023, he built a website dedicated to cataloging the unresolved problems left by Erdős and later added a commenting feature, unintentionally fostering a highly democratic online community. On this platform, amateurs, undergraduates, and top-tier mathematicians like Terence Tao were able to communicate and collaborate on an equal footing, eventually leading to the resolution of several simpler Erdős problems using publicly available large language models.
As artificial intelligence capabilities continue to improve, the ecosystem of the mathematical community is undergoing a fundamental transformation. For many hobbyists, AI not only increases their efficiency in problem-solving but also makes mathematical research more enjoyable and accessible. However, some seasoned mathematicians feel that since machines can now solve these puzzles, continuing to research them has lost its challenge and meaning; this trend has even prompted some top mathematicians, including a recipient of the highest honor like the Fields Medal, to leave academia and join AI technology companies instead.