Neil Thompson study finds AI models now solve many theory problems in other sciences

A study led by Neil Thompson at MIT tested OpenAI models on unpublished theory problems from December 2025 to May 2026.

Across probability, statistics theory, economic theory, high-energy theory, gravitation and cosmology, and quantum physics, the share solved rose from about 2 percent between mid-2024 and mid-2026 to about 35 percent.

The researchers caution that AI may make mistakes and that experts are still needed to verify solutions.