Out-numbered: AI’s contentious maths milestone

About this episode

<p>OpenAI’s claim to have solved one of the great problems in mathematics has itself created problems. We ask why the breakthrough has <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/09/09/openais-apparent-maths-breakthrough-raises-profound-questions?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shaken the field</a>. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11 we examine the vast counterterrorism machinery that followed in America, and nascent efforts to <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/09/10/how-counterterrorism-has-empowered-donald-trumps-imperial-presidency?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pare those powers back</a>. And remembering <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/09/03/guo-lanying-was-the-singer-everyone-loved?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guo Lanying</a>, a Chinese singer who championed traditional opera.</p><br><p>Watch extended clips from Insider <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&utm_source=economist&utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&utm_term=sa.arc-isi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Sam Wikeley, science correspondent</li><li>Sam Beal, Washington correspondent</li><li>Ann Wroe, obituaries editor</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>mathematics, AI, Millennium Prize Problems</li><li>9/11 anniversary, counterterrorism law</li><li>Guo Lanying, Chinese opera</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>subscribe to The Economist</em></a><em>.</em></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>