SMS scnews item created by Catherine Meister at Mon 25 May 2026 1259
Type: Seminar
Distribution: World
Expiry: 20 Jul 2026
Calendar1: 25 Jun 2026 1300-1400
CalLoc1: SMRI Seminar Room (A12 Macleay Room 301)
Auth: cmeister@ac02gr132pn7c.shared.sydney.edu.au (cmei0631) in SMS-SAML

SMRI Seminar: Williamson

AI and Humanity's Longest Conversation

Geordie Williamson, University of Sydney

SMRI Seminar, Thursday 25th June 2026, 1 pm – 2 pm, SMRI Seminar Room (A12 Macleay Room 301)

Abstract: Mathematics has been called humanity's longest conversation. Observations of Euclid, Pythagoras, Euler and Poincaré still occupy the minds of mathematicians today. This conversation has experienced shocks and challenges, including the crisis of foundations in the early 20th century, and the first computer assisted proofs in the second half of the 20th century. We are currently in the midst of another shock, with the rise of formal proof and the first signs of AI systems helping to produce research-level mathematics. This raises questions of fundamental importance: How should mathematicians respond to AI? Will AI systems help (or hinder) our understanding of the mathematical world? Williamson will discuss some recent developments at the interface of mathematics and AI, with the aim of having a clearer picture of this unique point in the history of mathematics.

For seminar updates, see our What's On Calendar. Please join us after the seminar for the SMRI afternoon tea, every Thursday at 2 pm on the SMRI Terrace.