OpenAI and Anthropic challenge core assumptions in computational complexity

OpenAI and Anthropic have sparked a scientific debate by challenging the Exponential Time Hypothesis (ETH), a foundational assumption in computer science. The labs released solutions to three long-standing math problems, including a refutation of ETH, which posits that certain computational problems require exponentially increasing time to solve as variables grow. MIT Professor Ryan Williams, a leading computer scientist, noted that OpenAI’s work contains elements that suggest a potential breakthrough in computational complexity, though he emphasized the need for further scrutiny. Anthropic’s mathematician Levent Alpöge initially questioned OpenAI’s approach, later releasing its own refutation of ETH. OpenAI’s structured release process, involving public sharing of proofs and funding for academic discussions, marks a shift in its collaboration strategy with researchers. While the implications for cryptography and computational theory are significant, OpenAI’s science lead Dan Roberts confirmed no immediate security risks were identified.