Will Computers prove theorems?

Will Computers prove theorems?

From Strachey Lectures by Oxford University

May 15, 2025 · 46 min

About this episode

Kevin Buzzard discusses the potential of computers and AI in proving theorems and their implications for mathematics.

Kevin Buzzard: Will Computers prove theorems? Will computers one day replace human mathematicians? Is this just around the corner, or decades away? Can neural networks spot patterns which humans have missed? Currently language models are great for brainstorming big ideas but are very poor when it comes to details. Can integrating a language model with a theorem prover like Lean solve these problems? Is the modern mathematical literature riddled with errors, and is it feasible to hope that a machine might find and even fix them? Is it possible to teach a computer the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem? And what do mathematicians make of all this? I'll talk about how modern developments in AI and theorem provers are beginning to affect mathematics.

People in this episode

Guest: Kevin Buzzard

Topics covered

  • computers
  • theorems
  • mathematics
  • AI
  • neural networks
  • theorem provers

Keywords

  • computers
  • theorems
  • AI
  • neural networks
  • mathematics
  • Fermat's Last Theorem
  • theorem provers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lean

Books & works: Fermat's Last Theorem

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