Math “Superstar,” Terence Chi-Shen Tao Addresses the Confluence of Math, Computing, and AI
Terence Chi-Shen Tao, widely regarded as the most accomplished mathematician in the world, spoke to an overflow crowd of more than 200 students, faculty, and administrators on September 11 in Rockefeller Hall. Tao, Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), spent two days on campus talking to students and faculty. At his lecture in Rockefeller Hall, he spoke about the emerging intersection of mathematics, computing, and artificial intelligence.
Tao said recent advances in computing have enabled mathematicians to solve problems involving proofs of theorems, employing formal proof verifiers, machine learning, and large language models.
Tao’s visit was sponsored by the Asprey Distinguished Lecture Series, funded by an endowment from renowned mathematician Winifred Asprey ’38, who served as Chair of Vassar’s Mathematics Department for 26 years and who was instrumental in developing the College’s Computer Science program.
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, Benjamin Lotto said he invited Tao to speak because the Asprey endowment is intended to bring “the best of the best to Vassar.” In his introduction, Lotto described Tao’s career as “an astounding combination of originality and collaboration.” He noted that Tao had been one of the youngest mathematicians to win the Fields Medal, considered the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in Mathematics, in 2006 at the age of 31. The following year, Tao was the winner of a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the “Genius” grant.
Mathematics and Statistics major Nate Hart ’26, of Rochester, NY, was one of more than 150 students who attended the lecture. Hart said one aspect of Tao’s talk that resonated for him was his reference to his own interactions with AI as a student at Vassar. “I really liked the emphasis he put on collaboration, too,” Hart added. “When someone at the lecture asked how graduate school would change with AI, I appreciated his response saying how it will foster more and more collaboration among mathematicians.”
Hart said he appreciated Lotto’s efforts to bring Tao to Vassar. “Having someone of Terry's stature on campus reminded me of Vassar's great reputation, and it made me feel better about continuing into graduate school,” he said.
Hart said he and some other math majors had had lunch with Tao before the lecture, and they were struck by his patience and humility. “I was very impressed to see how he responded to student questions,” Hart said. “Even though some were extremely basic, he treated them with respect and answered thoughtfully, without any condescension.”
In addition to members of the Vassar community, students and faculty from institutions from New York City to Albany also attended the lecture. “Many of them came up to me asking, 'How did you get Terry Tao to come?'" Lotto said. “The answer: I asked. That he agreed and generously met with students and faculty during his visit is a testament to the spirit of community and collaboration that is omnipresent in the mathematics world.”