AI is breaking our proxies for expertise
Summary
The piece argues that AI solving prestigious mathematical problems threatens the traditional proxies for expertise in math and software engineering. It distinguishes between puzzle solving and idea generation in mathematics, contends that AI can undercut both, and explores how this may reshape what we value in human labor and prestige. It also compares AI's impact to chess and speedrunning, suggesting a potential separation of human and AI domains or new human-centered skills.