In the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad, Artificial Intelligence Systems outperformed human competitors. These students are the top 0.01% math students globally and are often selected after a multitude of other vigorous competitions. The IMO consists of 6 abstract problems across 2 days, each valued 7 points. DeepMinds Gemini Pro is a large language model similar to ChatGPT. It can read, write, solve problems, and now even do Olympiad-level math. DeepMinds Gemini Pro solved 5 out of the 6 problems, making it the first time AI reached expert-level on creative math proofs. This accomplishment shocked everyone, including the researchers who built the model itself.

Previously, some showed skepticism, claiming AI models are just clear mimics, programmed to predict the next word. This success…or endangerment to some has shown the evident shift of AI from pattern-recognizing to actual reasoning with much more potential. DeepMind used “Deep Think” in which multiple solution paths were explored. Additionally, the models in the IMO were given 4.5 hours, just like the humans, to work through each set, making results much more accurate. However, the AI model’s accomplishment was made possible with lots of high quality data, reinforcement learning (rewarded for clear, correct logic), and huge computer power (GPU-heavy, expensive).

With this revolutionizing event, we have understood that AI’s reasoning abilities can transform math research and education well beyond previous expectations. In fact, DeepMind has already been working to put its system in the hands of mathematicians and hopefully the public. 

However, the fast growth of AI in the past couple of years does not undermine human talents and necessity. AI models are more than capable of making mistakes without human guidance. The students in the IMO competition bring originality and a deep understanding to abstract math proofs. They also inspire potential AI improvements by continuously pushing the boundaries of thinking and problem-solving. The future of learning and work should combine human skills with AI power, providing balance and healthy progress rather than domination and fear. Moving forward, fostering collaboration between human creativity and AI models will be key to mathematical progress.

Works Cited

Google DeepMind. “Advanced Version of Gemini with Deep Think Officially Achieves Gold-Medal Standard at the International Mathematical Olympiad.” DeepMind, 21 July 2025, deepmind.google/discover/blog/advanced-version-of-gemini-with-deep-think-officially-achieves-gold-medal-standard-at-the-international-mathematical-olympiad