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Oct 15, 2026
The Joy of Why
Live from ICM 2026: What Is Math For in the Age of AI?
Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and podcast with Akshay Venkatesh, Alex Kontorovich and Ravi Vakil
The Joy of Why, Hosted by Janna Levin and Steven Strogatz
About
Recorded live at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia, this episode brings hosts Janna Levin and Steven Strogatz together with Akshay Venkatesh, Ravi Vakil and Alex Kontorovich. They examine what recent AI-generated proofs demonstrate, how machine assistance may change mathematical research, and what proof, creativity, understanding and storytelling contribute to the discipline. The recording took place on 26 July 2026; Quanta published the episode on 3 September 2026.
Topics
AI-generated proofsmachine assistancemathematical researchproofcreativityunderstandingstorytellingInternational Congress of MathematiciansAkshay VenkateshRavi Vakil
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