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OpenAI denies seeing math prompts, admits possible use of de-identified data

769 points · 709 comments#openai#mathematics#training-data#transparency

OpenAI has denied that its researchers or models saw prompts from mathematicians Buckmaster and Alpöge, but stated it cannot rule out that de-identified data from their product use helped improve its models. The denial follows accusations from mathematicians, including Andreas Thom, who publicly questioned the transparency of OpenAI's training data origins and whether researchers can trust the lab with unpublished results.

Coverage timeline

  1. Techmeme
    OpenAI denies that its researchers or models saw Buckmaster or Alpöge's prompts, says it spent millions in compute after hearing Anthropic had a breakthrough (Wired)

    Wired : OpenAI denies that its researchers or models saw Buckmaster or Alpöge's prompts, says it spent millions in compute after hearing Anthropic had a breakthrough — A landmark announcement by the frontier AI lab has been overshadowed by accusations of impropriety.

  2. Techmeme
    OpenAI says, while unlikely, it "cannot rule out that de-identified data derived" from Buckmaster's and Alpöge's use of its products helped improve its models (OpenAI)

    OpenAI : OpenAI says, while unlikely, it “cannot rule out that de-identified data derived” from Buckmaster's and Alpöge's use of its products helped improve its models — Read the paper Link to Lean formalized proof — We're sharing a solution to the Navier-Stokes existence …

  3. Hacker Newspred_
    More questions about whether researchers can trust OpenAI with unpublished mathHN

    https://mathstodon.xyz/@andreasthom/117240536885387540 https://mathstodon.xyz/@andreasthom/117240537520615623 https://x.com/ValerioCapraro/status/2097791836269977996 , https://xcancel.com/ValerioCapraro/status/209779183626997799... https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ckaz32jwl6t2cno6fmuw2nhn/po...

  4. The Verge AIRobert Hart
    Mathematicians want proof OpenAI didn’t use their workHN

    Another researcher is challenging OpenAI about the data driving its increasingly impressive array of mathematical discoveries. Just days after a bitter row erupted over whether the company's models benefited from unpublished work, a second mathematician has come forward accusing the AI giant of unethical and "dishonest" behavior and a lack of transparency about the origins of its training data. In a series of posts on Mastodon, mathematician Andreas Thom raised concerns that interactions he and his colleagues had had with the ChatGPT chatbot before OpenAI's triumphant announcement may have contributed to its success in the field. One of the … Read the full story at The Verge.

  5. Hacker NewsColinWright
    Another researcher says OpenAI trained on conversations, then claimed breakthrouHN