Ai's impact on science expands beyond mathematics

A recent study by Neil Thompson and his team at MIT suggests that AI is rapidly transforming multiple scientific fields beyond mathematics. The research, conducted between December 2025 and May 2026, tested OpenAI models like o1, o3, GPT-5, and GPT-5.5 on theoretical problems from research papers published after their training cutoff. The models solved 35% of these problems, up from 2% in mid-2024, with no signs of slowing progress. Thompson warns that AI's ability to tackle theoretical questions could reshape fields like physics and economics. OpenAI recently made headlines by solving the Navier-Stokes equations, a long-standing math challenge, sparking controversy after a NYU mathematician accused the company of 'gazumping.' This has led to a crisis in mathematics, with calls for AI use limits. Thompson notes that while AI may accelerate theoretical progress, human experts remain essential to verify solutions and ensure their validity. "We need people to generate good ideas to connect the dots," says Gabriel Manso, adding that AI can make mistakes, as seen in OpenAI's recent withdrawal of several solutions.