Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are transforming mathematics education, as demonstrated by Michael Brenner's experience teaching 'Applied Mathematics 201.' In fall 2023, AI struggled with only 30 to 50 percent problem-solving success, but by spring, it excelled at the hardest problems. This raised concerns about trust in student submissions and prompted a class redesign. Historically seen as poor at math, AI's capabilities now challenge conventional perceptions, suggesting a significant rethinking of teaching methodologies and the role of technology in academia.
When Michael Brenner taught the graduate-level class 'Applied Mathematics 201' in fall 2023, the course's nonlinear partial differential equations were too tough for artificial intelligence. AI managed to solve just 30 to 50 percent of the problems in the first three weeks of the class.
But when he taught the same course this past spring, everything had changed. The same AI models that had stumbled on the easiest problems now aced the hardest ones.
Brenner was shocked. 'This actually calls into question the entire way the class is taught,' he said.
While some mathematicians expect modest tools that can automate unglamorous parts of the job, others see a wholesale reimagining of the discipline and a rapid acceleration of what's possible.
Collection
[
|
...
]