Open problems from the 2020s
Results on questions first raised the 2020s, going by the earliest step each entry records.
9 AI-made results on questions first raised the 2020s, from 19 papers in the OpenAI math collection, each explained in plain English. 5 have a formal Lean proof listed; 4 are claimed in a paper and not yet machine-checked. They span 7 fields, led by mathematical physics (2), number theory (2) and algebra (1). The oldest question here dates back to 2021: Counterexamples to finite generation at chromatic height two.
Number theory2
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Restricted geometric Langlands, global Arthur enhancements, and generic Ramanujan
Proves the restricted geometric Langlands equivalence for connected reductive groups on smooth projective connected curves over under the four stated Lie-theoretic characteristic hypotheses. Over arbitrary algebraically closed fields of characteristic p > 0, the same conclusion holds assuming additionally that p is very good for the group and . Over global function fields, proves Ramanujan at every place for globally generic cuspidal representations of split adjoint absolutely simple exceptional groups, without characteristic or ramification-depth restrictions, and at every unramified place for cuspidal representations of split adjoint absolutely simple groups with a generic unramified component. Assuming the finite-level Ramanujan–Arthur decomposition, constructs global Arthur enhancements of occurring cuspidal excursion parameters for split connected semisimple groups at full finite level, recovering the given parameters by diagonal specialization on the entire Weil group, including inertia.
Claimed, not checked -
Potential integral density on curve character varieties
Resolves the determinant-one curve case of Litt's integral-density question. For every smooth connected complex algebraic curve and every rank, integral points become Zariski dense in every component of its SLr character variety over the full ring of integers of one number field. Prescribed quasi-unipotent boundary conjugacy classes are allowed, including nonsemisimple classes.
Formal proof listed
Convex and metric geometry1
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Dimension-free logarithmic Sobolev inequality for subgaussian log-concave measures
Proves a dimension-free logarithmic Sobolev inequality for centered log-concave densities with uniformly subgaussian linear marginals, with constant bounded by a universal multiple of the squared linear subgaussian parameter.
Claimed, not checked
Theoretical computer science1
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Optimal-order randomized k-server on arbitrary metrics
Establishes a randomized competitive ratio for k-server on every metric space, matching the worst-case lower-bound order. One policy serves every finite oblivious request sequence, including on infinite unbounded metrics. On finite rational metrics, a uniform implementation has polynomial preprocessing and per-request bit cost in the input length and at request t, with a finite instance-dependent additive movement constant.
Formal proof listed
Algebra1
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Finite symmetric tensor categories and the Verlinde tower
Proves that every finite symmetric tensor category over an algebraically closed field k of characteristic p > 0 admits a k-linear exact faithful strong symmetric monoidal fiber functor to a higher Verlinde category . The level may depend on the category, and the theorem includes characteristic two, resolving the finite case of the Benson–Etingof–Ostrik conjecture.
Claimed, not checked
Probability and statistical mechanics1
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The exact factor-of-IID threshold for free Ising spins on trees
Determines when the free zero-field ferromagnetic Ising state on the infinite d-regular tree is a factor of independent vertex labels: exactly when , including equality, for d ≥ 3 and β ≥ 0. The construction uses no root and is almost surely equivariant for each fixed tree automorphism, resolving the ferromagnetic case of Lyons's question.
Formal proof listed
Mathematical physics2
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QMA-hardness of continuum Coulomb energy
Proves QMA-hardness of approximating the electronic Coulomb energy infimum in three dimensions, minimizing over the full spinful fermionic continuum space. Deterministic polynomial-time reductions work even with only unit-charge nuclei at distinct rational positions, polynomially many electrons and an energy-threshold separation of at least one.
Formal proof listed -
QAOA attains the SK optimum in the thermodynamic-first limit
Proves that QAOA approaches the ground-state energy of the Gaussian zero-field Sherrington–Kirkpatrick model when system size tends to infinity before circuit depth. For every accuracy, finite depth and deterministic angles independent of size and disorder achieve the required limiting expected energy per spin. This also yields leading-order optimal expected MaxCut values on large-degree random regular graphs, with size tending to infinity before degree.
Formal proof listed
Topology1
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Counterexamples to finite generation at chromatic height two
Refutes the Hahn–Wilson conjecture at chromatic height two. For every sufficiently large prime p, constructs a connective p-complete spectrum of exact fp-type two that cannot be built from completed by finitely many sums, shifts, cones and retracts. The examples nevertheless satisfy the finite and telescopic localization comparisons.
Claimed, not checked