Explainers
How AI Proves Theorems: Two Paths From Plausible Argument to Verified Proof
Artificial intelligence aids mathematical research through two distinct paths: intuitive, yet error-prone, natural language proofs from LLMs, and machine-checkable, yet less intuitive, formal verification using tools like Lean. The mathematics community distinguishes between these, emphasizing that formal correctness does not equate to human understanding or acceptance.
Marcus Cole·October 28, 2026
