Maths is about questions as much as answers
AI has already beaten humans at games like chess and Go, so does that mean we can all quit maths and let machines do it for us? Soz, but no. AI can handle large datasets, perform complex calculations and even find patterns that might take humans much longer to spot, but there are still plenty of things it can’t do.
Creativity and intuition
A lot of maths tasks require creative thinking, like formulating problems or coming up with interesting questions for maths to answer. AI is awesome at solving problems that have al ready been defined, but many important mathematical discoveries come from the formu lation of new problems – something that AI isn’t capable of on its own.
Teaching students to think critically and approach problems creatively is a deeply human skill. Good maths teachers encourage students to ask questions and develop strategies for tackling challenges.
Working with others
Maths connects many different fields, such as physics, economics and engineering. AI, though powerful, works best with specific tasks and data inputs, while mathematicians understand how maths interacts with other disciplines.
Maths teachers also use their people skills to read the room and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Whether it’s using different examples or helping students who are falling behind, teachers can adapt in real time.
AI will definitely change how maths is taught. But you’ll still need your maths teacher to foster creativity, adapt to your learning needs and help you understand why maths is important.
A version of this article also appears in our latest issue of Careers with STEM: Maths and Data 2025.
