Professor Sun Zhiwei, a 61‑year‑old mathematician at Nanjing University, has spent years writing conjectures for other researchers. This year he finished a manuscript of more than 400 pages that lists 1,000 unsolved problems. The scale of the list makes his challenge a rare experiment in modern mathematics.

Sun offers cash rewards for solving his problems, such as $2,400 for the “24 conjecture.” He pays the prizes entirely from his own salary and has already awarded about five rewards to successful solvers.

After a 2005 visit to UC Irvine, Sun taught himself to use the software Mathematica, which lets him test thousands of numerical cases. He now also uses artificial intelligence in his research, treating it like a diligent graduate student that still needs his guidance. Sometimes he blocks the AI’s internet access to keep it from finding existing solutions.

Sun jokingly calls some of the hardest problems “alien conjectures,” implying they are beyond current human ability. This label has drawn attention from international mathematicians, including the late Fields Medalist Jean Bourgain. Sun believes that creating new questions is crucial for the progress of mathematics, especially as AI becomes more powerful.

Sun Zhiwei’s blend of a massive conjecture list, personal cash incentives, and selective use of AI makes his challenge stand out. It shows how individual ambition and modern tools can reshape the way mathematicians approach unsolved problems.