SMRI Seminar: Williamson -- AI and Humanity's Longest Conversation ***NOTE UPDATED LOCATION***

SMRI Seminar: 
AI and Humanity's Longest Conversation
Geordie Williamson, University of Sydney
Thursday 25th June 2026, 1 pm – 2 pm
***PLEASE NOTE UPDATED ROOM***
Quad (A14) General Lecture Theatre (K2.05)
***PLEASE NOTE UPDATED ROOM***

Abstract: Mathematics has been called humanity's longest conversation. Observations of 
Euclid, Pythagoras, Euler and Poincaré still occupy the minds of mathematicians today. 
This conversation has experienced shocks and challenges, including the crisis of 
foundations in the early 20th century, and the first computer assisted proofs in the 
second half of the 20th century. We are currently in the midst of another shock, with 
the rise of formal proof and the first signs of AI systems helping to produce 
research-level mathematics. This raises questions of fundamental importance: How should 
mathematicians respond to AI? Will AI systems help (or hinder) our understanding of the 
mathematical world? Williamson will discuss some recent developments at the interface of 
mathematics and AI, with the aim of having a clearer picture of this unique point in the 
history of mathematics.

Please join us after the seminar for the SMRI afternoon tea, every Thursday at 2 pm 
***this week to be held in the Quadrangle VC gardens***

REGISTRATION FOR CATERING PURPOSES: 
https://events.humanitix.com/https-mathematical-research-institute-sydney-edu-au-smri-seminars-2026