OpenAI’s blockbuster Navier-Stokes proof isn’t what we thought it was

In a groundbreaking development, OpenAI has claimed to solve the Navier-Stokes problem, a renowned mathematical challenge, using a large language model (LLM). This solution, detailed in a 166-page document, initially appeared to follow a method by Spanish mathematicians Córdoba and Martínez-Zoroa, sparking controversy with mathematician Tristan Buckmaster, who had been working on a similar approach. However, experts now believe OpenAI’s method is distinct. The solution involves an “agent swarm” of 10,000 LLM copies that identified a flaw in the Navier-Stokes equations, suggesting a scenario where fluid flow speed becomes infinite, a theoretical impossibility. Despite the complexity, the proof is being translated into simpler terms for educational purposes. The controversy includes allegations of OpenAI attempting to suppress Buckmaster’s claims of misconduct. QUESTION: How might the use of artificial intelligence in solving complex mathematical problems influence future scientific research and education?