13th Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2026 - Short Report by Clemens Wittberg

2026-11-03 18:13

The 13th Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) took place from September 13 to 18, 2026. The HLF understands itself as an annual networking event that brings together approx. 200 outstanding young researchers in mathematics and computer science with recipients of the most prestigious awards in their fields (such as the Abel Prize, the Turing Award, and the Fields Medal). Our PhD student Clemens Wittberg had the honor to be invited to the Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2026. He sent us a short report with his own views on the merits of this experience:

"The Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2026 offered an inspiring opportunity to explore one of today’s most pressing questions: What’s happening with AI in mathematics and society?

Together with 202 young mathematicians and computer scientists, I had the privilege of meeting 22 Laureates, including recipients of the Fields Medal, Abel Prize, and ACM A.M. Turing Award. Conversations with distinguished researchers such as Bob Metcalfe, Torsten Hoefler, and Jack Dongarra highlighted the diverse perspectives on how artificial intelligence may shape the future of science.

A central takeaway was that generating correct results is not the same as understanding the underlying ideas, structures, and reasoning. While AI may accelerate discovery, questions about interpretability, reliability, and control remain essential, particularly when considering AI safety and its broader societal implications.

I left the forum without definitive answers, but with a stronger appreciation for the importance of curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific responsibility. AI will transform mathematics and society at unprecedented speed. How this transformation unfolds depends on the choices we make today.

I am grateful to Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation, and the TRR404 Active-3D project for making this experience possible, as well as to my supervisors for their continued guidance and support."

Notes by Clemens Wittberg

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