In brief
In early January 2025, Seattle became a hub for mathematical innovation as 5,444 mathematicians gathered for the Joint Mathematics Meetings (J.M.M.), marking a significant event in the mathematical community. With an official theme of “Mathematics in the Age of A.I.,” initiated by Bryna Kra, president of the American Mathematical Society, the conference served as a clarion call for attendees to consider how artificial intelligence is changing teaching, research, and collaboration within mathematics.
The keynote address by Yann LeCun, chief A.I. scientist at Meta, sparked lively discussions. He humorously criticized the current state of machine learning, stating, “the current state of machine learning is that it sucks,” highlighting the challenges of A.I. replicating even the simplest animal behavior, let alone human-like understanding and reasoning. LeCun advocated for developing a “large-scale world model,” which would enhance A.I.’s reasoning capabilities by simulating and predicting outcomes more effectively than existing generative models.This year’s J.M.M. represented not only an exploration of theoretical concepts in mathematics but also an urgent dialogue about the role and integration of A.I. within these frameworks. The convergence of traditional mathematical practices with cutting-edge technological advancements marks a pivotal moment, igniting both curiosity and caution in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. As mathematicians continue to navigate these changes, the synergy between A.I. and their work could lead to transformative outcomes in how mathematics is taught, applied, and understood.
