"But, in truth, the David who solved the K⁡(π,1) conjecture

"But, in truth, the David who solved the K⁡(π,1) conjecture is a social parasite of the much better mathematician, the David who crafted Definitions 2.4 and 9.3." A post by David Bessis (by way of Alexander Gerko, thx!) encapsulates everything I have always felt about creativity in mathematics, and also how it relates to the role of AI. The incredible inventiveness of new mathematical constructs and definitions and the most important conjectures, the ones that spur waves of innovation and programs of research, is where I think a uniquely human touch is required. AI has made it possible to prove theorems at scale, millions of them, billions even, none of them of significance. Coming up with useful conjectures, theorems and definitions is not in the realm of the machine. David Bessis goes even further, implying that proving theorems is not (generally) a value-adding activity compared to preparing the terrain with conceptual clarity. Which leaves us with the essence of mathematical research, according to the late mathematician Bill Thurston: "The product of mathematics is clarity and understanding. Not theorems, by themselves."

https://davidbessis.substack.com/p/the-fall-of-the-theorem-economy