--- title: "Anthropic AI Model Achieves Breakthrough in Solving a Problem That Has Plagued Mathematicians for Over 150 Years" description: "🤖 **AI Revolution in Mathematics**: Anthropic's neural network has achieved a breakthrough in solving a problem that humanity has been unable to solve for over 150 years. 🧠 **How it happened**: — An employee without a mathematical background gave the command to the model. — The AI worked for 1.5 days, testing 650 ideas. — 60 sub-agents were involved in the process. ✅ **Result**: Two mathematicians confirmed the correctness of the conclusions, and the proofs were formalized in the Lean system. 📉 **Context**: This is a continuation of a series of AI successes in 2026 (Erdős problems, Astra model, Jacobi hypothesis). ⚖️ **Debates**: Mathematicians are discussing whether AI undermines the value of authorship, but Fields Medalist Timothy Gowers sees the future of science in this. #AI #Math #Anthropic #Science #Technology" date: 2026-08-12T08:16:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/anthropic-ai-breakthrough-150-year-math-problem tags: [anthropic, artificial-intelligence, mathematics, ai-research, technology-news] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Anthropic AI Model Achieves Breakthrough in Solving a Problem That Has Plagued Mathematicians for Over 150 Years ![Android robot at a computer, symbolizing the breakthrough of the Anthropic AI model in solving a complex mathematical problem](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/ii-antropic-dobilsya-proryiva-v-reshenii-zadachi-150-let/ii-antropic-dobilsya-proryiva-v-reshenii-zadachi-150-let-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Anthropic's neural network has made progress in solving a problem that has been worked on for over 150 years. - The AI tested 650 ideas in 1.5 days using 60 sub-agents. - Results were confirmed by mathematicians and formalized in the Lean system. - There are ongoing debates in the scientific community about the impact of AI on authorship and responsibility in science. In the world of modern science and technology, a landmark moment has occurred that could revolutionize the perception of the role of artificial intelligence in fundamental research. An employee of the company Anthropic, without specialized mathematical training, launched an experiment that led to unexpected results. The neural network was given the command to attempt to prove one of the most complex mathematical hypotheses, on which humanity has been working for over a century and a half. A prize of one million dollars is still promised for the proof of this hypothesis. ### Automation of Scientific Search: 650 Ideas in 36 Hours The process of the AI working on the task took 1.5 days. During this time, the algorithm demonstrated the ability for autonomous planning and coordination. The model independently coordinated the execution of the task, testing 650 different ideas and approaches to the solution. The scale of computational resources was impressive: the algorithm consumed 31 million source tokens and involved 60 separate sub-agents in the process. This indicates a transition from simple text generation to complex cognitive activity requiring multi-level logic and hypothesis testing. ### Verification of Results and Formalization The key stage was confirming the correctness of the obtained results. Two in-house mathematicians from Anthropic checked the neural network's conclusions and confirmed their correctness. Subsequently, the conclusions were formalized using the Lean interactive theorem prover system. This is a critically important step, as Lean is the standard for verifying mathematical proofs, excluding human error and ensuring absolute logical accuracy. ### Context: AI in Mathematics in 2026 This success is a continuation of a series of mathematical discoveries achieved with the help of neural networks in recent years. In the current 2026, algorithms have already resolved several Erdős problems, and the Astra model from OpenAI proved 10 important results. Previously, the Anthropic team also refuted the well-known Jacobi hypothesis. These events indicate that AI has ceased to be just a tool for data processing and has become a full-fledged co-author in the creation of new mathematical knowledge. ### Ethical Debates: Authorship and Responsibility Despite the technical success, the scientific community is divided in opinion. In June, a group of prominent mathematicians signed a declaration expressing concern that AI undermines the value of personal authorship and responsibility for discovery. Critics fear that the automation of proofs could lead to a loss of depth of understanding of processes and a blurring of scientists' responsibility for their conclusions. ### Optimistic View: The Future of Mathematics At the same time, many experts, including Fields Medal laureate Timothy Gowers, believe that the involvement of AI can change mathematics for the better. They believe that neural networks are capable of finding connections and patterns inaccessible to the human mind, which will open new horizons for science. Anthropic's breakthrough confirms that AI is capable not only of solving assigned tasks but also of finding unexpected approaches to solving problems that seemed insoluble. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [An unreleased Anthropic model made progress on one of math’s biggest unsolved problems](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/an-unreleased-anthropic-model-made-progress-on-one-of-math-s-biggest-unsolved-problems/ar-AA29S2nX) - Источник подтверждает основные факты о прогрессе модели Anthropic в решении математической задачи. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What problem did the AI solve? **A:** The AI made progress in solving a mathematical hypothesis that humanity has been working on for over 150 years. A million dollars is promised for its proof. ### Q: How long did the AI work? **A:** The algorithm worked for 1.5 days, testing 650 different ideas. ### Q: Who confirmed the results? **A:** The results were confirmed by two in-house mathematicians from Anthropic, and the conclusions were formalized in the Lean system. ### Q: What do mathematicians say about using AI? **A:** Opinions are divided: some fear the loss of authorship, while others, like Timothy Gowers, believe that AI will change mathematics for the better.