If seems like you have an axe to grind about AI capabilities that is making you ...

rashar · 2026-05-21T10:51:16 1779360676

It is very rational and standard journalistic practice to focus on academic funding provenance.

Gowers is funded by XTX markets:

https://www.renaissancephilanthropy.org/ai-for-math-fund

XTX markets heavily uses machine learning and disguises the influencer money as "philanthropy":

https://www.xtxmarkets.com/

But you would probably say that Magnus Carlsen's previous engagement with the Maltese gambling company Unibet and him releasing a couple of YouTube videos talking positively about poker and gambling have nothing to do with each other. Nothing at all.

missyougowers · 2026-05-21T00:35:58 1779323758

This is a popular HNism.

Focusing solely on "capabilities" is the irrational thinking.

Asbestos is the most "capable" material where extreme thermal, chemical and electrical resistance is required.

rashar · 2026-05-21T10:53:33 1779360813

And academics have promoted all sorts of things, including cigarettes, with the proper funding.