“Mathematics in the age of AI” examines how the mathematical community might respond if artificial-intelligence tools become capable of research-level mathematical work. The essay treats the arrival of those capabilities as a hypothesis rather than debating whether or when they will emerge. The work shifts attention from AI capability to the goals and values of mathematical research. It uses mathematics’ problem-solving component as a case study for considering what researchers value beyond the production of solutions. The essay is based on a public lecture delivered at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians and was submitted to arXiv on August 17, 2026.

Data centers account for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption, with demand concentrated in specific regions. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence raises concerns about its increasing energy demand and potential environmental impacts.

MIT research indicates that AI will transform job functions rather than lead to widespread job loss. The study suggests that AI's impact on the workforce resembles a "rising tide," shifting tasks rather than causing abrupt job displacement.

AI-driven cognitive atrophy affects adults who rely on AI for thinking, leading to a loss of previously acquired skills. Children may not develop these skills at all, as processing information through AI can result in uniform thinking patterns and hinder their ability to critically evaluate AI outputs.

Preliminary data from a longitudinal AI impact study indicates that AI productivity gains are approximately 10%, rather than the previously suggested 10x. High expectations for AI productivity, influenced by social media and vendor marketing, may not align with these findings.