AI refutes 30-year-old mathematical assumption in computer science

New Scientist · Chris Stokel-Walker · 2026-10-27 15:28 UTC

A central tenet in computer science has apparently been disproven by OpenAI, a result that will force textbooks to be rewritten if it is confirmed

OpenAI announced three new discoveries in mathematics, computer science and physics

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, claims its AI models have disproven the exponential time hypothesis – a fundamental assumption that underpins computer science.

“This came as a complete surprise, a shock,” says Fedor Fomin at the University of Bergen in Norway. “Nobody I know expected it.”

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