Terry Tao, a renowned mathematician, has been a pioneer in the field of AI-assisted mathematics. His journey began with a prediction in 2014 that mathematicians might collaborate with hundreds of others and use computers to verify results. This vision has since materialized through his work on the Polymath Project and his advocacy for formal verification systems like Lean. Tao's interest in formal verification stems from his belief in the potential of new methods in mathematics. He organized a workshop in 2022 to explore how computers assist mathematical research and began experimenting with Lean, a software for writing and checking mathematical proofs as computer code. Tao's first formalization project was a minor result, but it marked his entry into the Lean community. He then collaborated with Ben Green, Tim Gowers, and Freddie Manners to formalize a proof in Lean, demonstrating the potential for large-scale collaboration in formal verification. Tao's work on the Equational Theories project further showcases his innovative approach to mathematics. He created a decentralized project where volunteers from around the world contributed to formalizing algebraic laws and their implications. This project, despite its initial rapid progress, eventually slowed down, but it demonstrated the potential for a new era of experimental mathematics. Tao's vision for the future of mathematics involves a combination of human insight, the creativity of large language models, and the guarantees of correctness provided by formal verification systems. He believes that AI will not replace human mathematicians but will assist in solving complex problems by breaking them into smaller, manageable subproblems. Tao's advocacy for AI-assisted mathematics and his pioneering work in formal verification have positioned him as a leading figure in the field, shaping the future of mathematical collaboration and discovery.
