Title: Navigating an Existential Crisis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Introduction
The launch of OpenAI’s o3 has been a game-changer, surging past most human capabilities in algorithm competitions and revolutionizing the field of advanced mathematics. As someone deeply passionate about applied mathematics, this advancement has thrown me into an unexpected existential crisis. I’ve spent years honing my skills, only to find that AI is rapidly outpacing human intellect.
A Journey Through Mathematics
In high school, my love for mathematics inspired me to pursue a degree in the field. My fascination grew more profound in my sophomore year when I discovered a paper on computational physics and its applications in creating visual effects. This discovery led me down the path of applied mathematics, focusing on applied mechanics and partial differential equations, which are now integral to my master’s studies.
Despite my dedication, I often struggled with complex mathematical concepts. The realization that AI like o3 could eventually surpass my efforts in writing a master’s thesis has been both eye-opening and disheartening. The notion that AI could perform these tasks with remarkable efficiency leaves me questioning the value of my hard-earned knowledge and whether I truly deserve my degree.
The Role of Creativity and Innovation
There’s often talk about the human contribution to creativity and idea generation. However, when AI can execute every idea autonomously, the feeling of personal accomplishment becomes elusive. If AI can autonomously draft and perfect a master’s thesis, does the degree still hold meaning?
I have always held ideals about the profound impact of applied mathematics. While some argue that this field requires minimal theoretical groundwork, I beg to differ. Differential geometry and algebraic geometry have profound applications in areas like 3D computer graphics and solving nonlinear systems. These fields are not only fascinating but also essential to the advancement of technology.
The Evolving Role of AI
Despite my dedication to learning, the swift advancement of AI makes my efforts seem outdated, akin to learning fire-by-friction after the Industrial Revolution. AI’s ability to solve intricate mathematical problems and outperform programmers in competitions has profoundly altered the landscape of knowledge and expertise. In the near future, the potential to delegate complex theses or algorithm implementations to AI could render my skills obsolete.
Yet, I remain committed to the pursuit of knowledge. I hope to develop my programming expertise, particularly in high-performance computing languages like C++ and Rust. Even if AI outstrips human capability, integrating and sharing this knowledge through blogging remains a goal. I believe this could potentially
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