OpenAI pulls out of Caltech math hackathon after mathematicians issue open letter criticizing AI math 'slop'

Business Insider | 11-09-2026 02:32am |

OpenAI is no longer sponsoring Caltech's "math hackathon," an event where participants use large language models to solve research problems, according to a researcher at the company. The decision followed an open letter released on Wednesday by current and former Caltech mathematicians, who said the AI-sponsored event "is likely to have destructive impacts for the mathematical community" and warned it could fuel "slop mathematics." Dan Roberts, OpenAI's research lead, said the company recognises that the rapid progress of AI in mathematics is disruptive. Event organisers said they intended the event to be a showcase for responsible AI use.

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