Twenty-five Fields Medal winners are speaking out against the race among AI companies to crack tough math problems just to show off their models. In a joint statement, they warn that using these breakthroughs for hype could actually harm science and the way new researchers are trained. The signatories include Terence Tao, Peter Scholze, Maryna Viazovska, and Maxim Kontsevich.

What the Medalists Are Saying

The statement takes aim at the trend of parading solutions to complex problems as proof that AI models are superior. According to the medalists, this kind of showboating distorts what real scientific work looks like—and risks messing up how the next generation of researchers learns the ropes.

How the Statement Came Together

Terence Tao said the document was put together after a week of discussions. The authors felt the situation was urgent enough to publish right away, without waiting for broader consultations. They're still collecting signatures from other mathematicians.

Why This Matters for the Community

The warning isn't just about AI's reputation-chasing "records." The medalists stress that focusing on flashy results could crowd out the slow, deep research and hands-on training that math—and related fields—need to thrive in the long run.