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    At the Math Olympiad, Computers Prepare to Go for the Gold

    by Kevin Hartnett Sep 22, 2020 4 minutes

    Reprinted with permission from Quanta Magazine‘s Abstractions blog.

    Computer scientists are trying to build an AI system that can win a gold medal at the world’s premier math competition.Photograph by Valerie Kuypers / AFP / Getty Images

    The 61st International Mathematical Olympiad, or IMO, began yesterday. It may go down in history for at least two reasons: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic it’s the first time the event has been held remotely, and it may also be the last time that artificial intelligence doesn’t compete.

    Indeed, researchers view the IMO as the ideal proving ground for machines designed to think like humans. If an AI system can excel here, it will have

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