Fields Medalist Kontsevich Says AI Is Developing Faster Than Expected

In an interview on October 10, 2026, Fields Medalist Maxim Kontsevich said that the development of artificial intelligence has far exceeded his expectations, with remarkable progress in just the past few months.

Kontsevich also mentioned that fellow Fields Medalist Jakob Zimmermann has suggested that AI could surpass human mathematicians entirely within two years. Kontsevich said no one can say for sure, and that AI may currently be at a critical point in its capabilities.

Kontsevich, who received the Fields Medal in 1998 and is known for his contributions to mathematical physics, made the remarks amid growing discussions about the relationship between AI and mathematical research.