GPT-5.2 conjectures, and an OpenAI model proves, that 'single-minus' gluon tree amplitudes are nonzero
A preprint by Guevara, Lupsasca, Skinner, Strominger and OpenAI's Kevin Weil showed that tree-level single-minus gluon amplitudes, long assumed to vanish, are nonzero in a 'half-collinear' region of (2,2)-signature kinematics. GPT-5.2 Pro conjectured the general formula from the n=3–6 cases, and an internal OpenAI model produced a proof in about 12 hours, which the humans checked. A graviton extension followed on 4 Mar 2026.
Key facts
- GPT-5.2 Pro guessed the closed-form all-n formula from small cases; an internal model proved it in ~12 hours
- Follow-up (4 Mar 2026): extension to gravitons, with the paper drafted by GPT-5.2 Pro
- Critique (Hugging Face blog): the physics framing was human work; the result applies only in non-physical (2,2) signature on a measure-zero kinematic slice; the loophole may have been noted by Witten in 2003
Science result
- Field
- physics / theoretical particle physics / scattering amplitudes
- Problem
- Whether single-minus-helicity gluon tree amplitudes vanish
- Result
- A closed-form formula and proof showing they are nonzero in half-collinear (2,2)-signature kinematics.
- AI system
- GPT-5.2 Pro, OpenAI internal reasoning model
- Human role
- Human-led with AI tools: physicists framed the question and verified
- Verification
- Expert-checked by the author team; preprint
- Status
- disputed
What happened
Leading amplitude theorists used OpenAI models to guess and prove a general formula in a corner of gauge-theory kinematics.
Why it matters
It is a showcase of LLMs as conjecture engines in theoretical physics, though critics dispute its physical significance and the AI's share of the insight.
Changelog
- 2026-09-29: created
Related events
- OpenAI publishes 'Early science acceleration experiments with GPT-5', including four new math results ★★★
- Physics Letters B paper built on a GPT-5 idea draws criticism that it tests the wrong thing ★★
Sources (4)
- officialOpenAI: New result in theoretical physics
- officialOpenAI: Extending single-minus amplitudes to gravitons
- discussionHugging Face blog: critical look at GPT and single-minus gluons
- pressThe Quantum Insider: AI spots what physicists missed in gluon scattering
id: 2026-02-13-gpt-5-2-single-minus-gluon-amplitudes · updated 2026-09-29 · open in the interactive timeline