Super new AI tech solves maths problems that have stumped brainiacs for decades

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, says its unreleased model Astra made 10 major mathematical breakthroughs in just a week - using less than 1,500 worth of computing power

Kate Nelson and Tom Hutchison Associate Editor

16:29, 04 Aug 2026

[3_AI-Health-Care-Poll-26105015984564.jpg]

OpenAI says some services are returning(Image: AP)

Boffins fear theyre about to become extinct after a new AI system solved maths problems that have left the worlds brightest brains baffled for decades. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, says its unreleased model Astra made 10 major mathematical breakthroughs in just a week - using less than 1,500 worth of computing power.

The bombshell has sparked fears that machines could soon take over one of the worlds most complex academic disciplines.

Among the discoveries were solutions to problems that had defeated mathematicians for more than 60 years, including a geometry puzzle first posed in 1964 by French mathematician Eugne Ehrhart.

[A French maths expert]

French mathematician Eugene Ehrhart

Experts were left stunned by the speed of the breakthroughs.

Chris Peikert, a professor at the University of Michigan, described the results as jaw-dropping, while Columbia University computer science professor Henry Yuen admitted: Im in awe.

Another mathematician wrote on an online forum that several of the discoveries would be career-defining for any mathematician.

But others were miffed by the leap as fears grew that AI could soon eclipse human researchers.

Tasmin Chu, a PhD student at the California Institute of Technology, posted: This ruined my morning.

Alex Gerko, a billionaire mathematician and founder of trading firm XTX Markets, predicted the technology would soon achieve superhuman performance in all aspects of maths.

He added: We are going to see 50 years worth of maths progress in the next two years, but there wont be nearly enough human mathematicians around to process and understand all of it.

[Russian maths expert Alex Gerko]

Billionaire mathematician Alex Gerko(Image: @AlexanderGerko/Twitter)

OpenAI said Astra is far more powerful than any system currently available to the public, although it plans to release the technology in the future.

The company insisted the breakthrough raises questions that cannot be answered by technology firms alone and called on the mathematical community to help shape the future of AI research.

The latest advance comes just months after thousands of mathematicians signed a declaration urging that the future of their subject should remain in the hands of academics rather than Silicon Valley companies.

Article continues below

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.