AI systems excel in solving mathematical problems due to their extensive symbolic working memory rather than superior reasoning abilities. Their performance is attributed to the absorption of vast amounts of mathematical examples and reinforcement learning techniques.

Large reasoning models (LRMs) have emerged as a specialized form of AI, capable of solving complex problems, including a notable mathematical research problem solved by OpenAI in May 2026. The effectiveness of AI reasoning is under scrutiny, raising questions about the accuracy and validity of its conclusions.