formal verification AI News & Updates
AI Language Models Demonstrate Breakthrough in Solving Advanced Mathematical Problems
OpenAI's latest model GPT 5.2 and Google's AlphaEvolve have successfully solved multiple open problems from mathematician Paul Erdős's collection of over 1,000 unsolved conjectures. Since Christmas, 15 problems have been moved from "open" to "solved," with 11 solutions crediting AI models, demonstrating unexpected capability in high-level mathematical reasoning. The breakthrough is attributed to improved reasoning abilities in newer models combined with formalization tools like Lean and Harmonic's Aristotle that make mathematical proofs easier to verify.
Skynet Chance (+0.04%): AI systems autonomously solving high-level math problems previously requiring human mathematicians suggests emerging capabilities for abstract reasoning and self-directed problem-solving, which are relevant to alignment and control challenges. However, the work remains in a constrained domain with human verification, limiting immediate existential risk implications.
Skynet Date (-1 days): The demonstration of advanced reasoning capabilities in a general-purpose model suggests faster-than-expected progress in AI's ability to operate autonomously in complex domains. This acceleration in capability development, particularly in abstract reasoning, could compress timelines for developing systems that are difficult to control or align.
AGI Progress (+0.04%): Solving previously unsolved mathematical problems requiring high-level abstract reasoning represents significant progress toward general intelligence, as mathematics has been a key benchmark for human-level cognitive capabilities. The ability to autonomously discover novel solutions and apply complex axioms demonstrates emerging general problem-solving abilities beyond pattern matching.
AGI Date (-1 days): The breakthrough suggests AI models are progressing faster than expected in abstract reasoning and autonomous problem-solving, key components of AGI. The fact that 11 of 15 recent solutions to long-standing problems involved AI indicates an accelerating pace of capability development in domains previously thought to require uniquely human intelligence.