OpenAI's experimental AI model has demonstrated significant advancements in mathematical reasoning by achieving gold medal-level performance at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The model successfully solved five out of six problems, earning 35 out of 42 possible points, under conditions identical to those of human contestants, including two 4.5-hour sessions without access to external tools or the internet. This achievement underscores the rapid progress in AI's ability to tackle complex mathematical challenges.
The IMO, established in 1959, is widely regarded as the most prestigious mathematics competition for pre-university students, featuring problems that require creativity and rigorous logical reasoning. OpenAI's model was evaluated under the same conditions as human participants, including two 4.5-hour sessions, no access to external tools or the internet, and required to write detailed proofs based on official IMO problems. Three former IMO medalists independently graded each solution, with final scores based on unanimous agreement. This evaluation process highlights the model's capability to generate intricate, watertight arguments at the level of human mathematicians.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, "We achieved gold medal-level performance on the 2025 IMO competition with a general-purpose reasoning system! To emphasize, this is an LLM doing math and not a specific formal math system; it is part of our main push towards general intelligence." This statement reflects OpenAI's commitment to advancing AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks, moving beyond specialized applications to more general-purpose reasoning capabilities.
While this accomplishment is noteworthy, it also raises discussions about the role of AI in educational and competitive settings. The integration of AI into such domains prompts considerations regarding the balance between human and machine contributions, the potential impact on traditional learning and assessment methods, and the ethical implications of AI's involvement in human-centric activities. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to engage in ongoing dialogue to navigate these challenges responsibly.