About the Talks

OpenAI × UCLA IPAM Convening on AI, Mathematics, and Theoretical Physics

OpenAI is collaborating with UCLA’s Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) on a full-day convening of leading mathematicians, theoretical physicists, and AI researchers to explore how frontier reasoning models are beginning to accelerate discovery in highly abstract scientific domains. Through focused lectures, disciplinary deep dives, and panel discussions, the program will highlight innovative applications of AI and illuminate the emerging era in which AI meaningfully accelerates progress on the hardest scientific problems. Midway through the program, a fireside conversation between Terence Tao and Mark Chen will revisit last year's landmark dialogue on the evolving role of AI in mathematical discovery and update the community on the past year of progress.

The event is designed to give top researchers a front-row view of cutting-edge advances in AI-driven mathematics and physics while catalyzing new interdisciplinary collaboration. As Tao noted during last year’s conversation, “In the future, you could collaborate with scientists in domains where you have no expertise. The AI could serve as a universal translator, helping mathematicians get up to speed quickly and enabling unprecedented interdisciplinary work.” This convening aims to bring that future closer: to educate, inspire, and connect researchers across fields in service of accelerating discovery and solving humanity’s most complex challenges.

Anyone in the world can watch two key discussions from the convening here in the Forum. We'll be streaming a fireside chat between Terence Tao and Mark Chen, moderated by James Donovan, as well as an AI and Physics Panel led by Zvi Bern, and including Eva Silverstein, Alex Lupasca, Wahid Bhimji, and Kyle Cranmer.