Caltech Mathathon – first hackathon ever devoted to research level mathematics (mathathonchallenge.com)

Caltech is set to host the inaugural Mathathon, the first hackathon dedicated exclusively to research-level mathematics, from October 30 to November 1, 2026. Over a grueling 40-hour period, participants will receive more than $2 million in AI credits to tackle open mathematical problems— a challenge made all the more relevant by recent AI breakthroughs. Notable achievements include the disproof of Erdos's planar unit-distance conjecture, the construction of a first explicit non-sofic group, and the verification of a complex structure in the six-sphere, all addressing long-standing questions in mathematics. This event is significant for the AI/ML community as it raises critical discussions about the interaction between AI and traditional mathematical processes. With AI demonstrating the capability to offer solutions much faster than human mathematicians, questions arise about the evolving role of mathematicians in research and the potential for AI to accelerate the path from idea conception to peer-reviewed publication. Top math talents from around the world will collaborate to generate new theories and defend their results before established mathematicians, further blurring the lines between human and machine contributions in scientific inquiry. The event will culminate in awards for the most promising findings, emphasizing both innovative results and the importance of clear mathematical communication.