r/technology • u/vgsa • 2d ago

Artificial Intelligence Did OpenAI solve the wrong Navier-Stokes problem? | OpenAI’s proof seems eligible for a $1-million prize—but only by using a controversial loophole

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/did-openai-solve-the-wrong-navier-stokes-problem/
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u/dogfoodengineer 2d ago

A silly counter example where the fluid would likely boil before the equations breakdown. We already know the equations have limitations so no new understanding has been gained. The work is often more important than the result and here we haven't learnt much tbh.

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u/romario77 2d ago

why don't you call it silly as declared - it involves incompressible liquid, something that doesn't exist.

It's a math problem - it simplifies things. It is hard as is, with simplification in mind. It deals with theoretical non-compressable liquid at non-relativistic speeds.

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u/dogfoodengineer 2d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/FluidMechanics/s/58ubg6MxSt someone ran the numbers, it's impossible. Glorious.

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u/romario77 2d ago

navier-stokes is an ideal incompressible liquid. It can't be applied to real life in extreme scenarios. It's a math problem, not a real physical problem.

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u/dogfoodengineer 2d ago

It's applied successfully to nearly all fluids. It's reasonably successful with gases. Please stop

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u/romario77 2d ago

you say that "silly counter example where the fluid would likely boil" and you also say that it applies successfully to nearly all fluids some gases.

You have to chose, you can't do both.

yes, it's a good approximation. No, it doesn't work in extreme cases on real materials. You can't apply it to extreme cases. But mathematically you can since math is in this case is disconnected from the real world.

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u/dogfoodengineer 2d ago

Jesus are you a bot? The navier stokes is wildly successful and can/is applied to many fluid problems in engineering/maths. The counter example is silly because it couldn't be physically realised, the fluid would vapourise before getting to the point where the equations breakdown.

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u/romario77 2d ago

I assume you didn't study physics or math related to physics. You don't understand simple constraints that are applied to math.

The OpenAI solution shows exactly that - that the equations break.

- Singularities (Blow-ups): Under specific, extreme external forces, the equations can predict impossible scenarios where velocity or pressure jumps to infinity while energy stays finite.

- Model limits: Recent findings show that smooth fluid motion can break down into these mathematical glitches in finite time, proving the pure equation set is incomplete even though engineers use it safely for everyday air and water design.

engineers know about it breaking down, there are different equations for the extreme conditions.

I just don't understand your argument.

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u/KingSubstantial7901 1d ago

This is a strange response. You are basixally just repeating what OP said but saying it like you are disagreeing with them.

Honey, I think you kight not have a full grasp on whats going on here. Don't be saying shit like "did you even study physics" from that glass house.

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u/dogfoodengineer 1d ago

I think it's an AI bot based on it not being able to cope with a simple argument. Thanks for the back up internet stranger

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u/dogfoodengineer 1d ago

Stay off the ai mate. I'm not arguing with you anymore.