This is pretty disappointing I have to say. The letter actually has a “pro AI” stance (see quote below), and Gowers’ apparent reason for not signing it is so subtle (not wanting to offend people whose goal in mathematics is not understanding) that I can’t help but view this as being more about optics than its actual content; i.e. he seems to be cleverer than I am in recognizing most people will not see the letter as a push to use AI in ways which are healthier for human flourishing but as advocating for one of two sides in a highly artificial binary (“pro AI” or “anti AI”). Gowers draws a distinction without a difference here and should have just signed the letter.

> AI offers the potential of enhancing and accelerating genuine mathematical study and understanding. Mathematics as a profession will need to adapt to these changes in several ways. However, whether these changes ultimately benefit the field or have a destructive effect will in large part be determined by the decisions of the humans in control of this new technology.