AI keeps cracking unsolved math problems, and mathematicians have mixed feelings

OpenAI’s GPT 5.6 Pro has successfully solved two long-standing mathematical problems on its first attempt, including the Unit Distance Conjecture. While these results demonstrate the growing capability of large language models to contribute to complex academic research, some mathematicians express concern that such tools could erode the traditional value of human mathematical discovery. This shift highlights a tension between the efficiency of AI-assisted problem solving and the established norms of how foundational progress is achieved within the field.