OpenAI says its AI disproves the exponential time hypothesis

On October 26, 2026, OpenAI announced three new discoveries in mathematics, computer science and physics, including a claimed proof that the Exponential Time Hypothesis is false. According to a report circulated by ColdCaseTech, OpenAI subsequently published the mathematics and computer science materials on GitHub, while the physics group decided to hold off on releasing the AI-generated artifact.

This continues a pattern of OpenAI releasing mathematical results produced by AI throughout 2026, a practice that has drawn criticism from mathematicians over how findings are published, the quality of proofs, and questions of academic credit. Researchers have said some of the company's papers lack adequate background, references, and clear argumentation, leaving mathematicians to spend substantial time verifying results, reading the proofs, and judging whether the claims hold up.

On October 30, 2026, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the debate on the Cheeky Pint podcast. He said he understands the position of mathematicians facing a surge of AI research output, but argued that OpenAI needs to keep publishing discoveries it considers valuable, on the grounds that people have a right to understand the basic rules by which the universe works and that the company should not hold major basic scientific findings internally for long. Altman also acknowledged that OpenAI's earlier approach to releasing mathematical results had room for improvement, and said he wants to advance science while respecting the research community that has developed mathematics over centuries and helping researchers in these fields adapt to the changes AI is bringing. He noted that OpenAI had considered increasing its mathematics research efforts in a short period to probe the limits of its models' capabilities, and mentioned a Slack channel inside the company called Model Name-Hold My Beer. As of October 31, the dispute remained unresolved and the physics group's artifact had not been released.