We're gonna need a lot more mathematicians

Terence Tao, a renowned mathematician, argues that the field of mathematics is facing a severe shortage of skilled mathematicians, particularly in areas like number theory and algebraic geometry. He notes that the number of students pursuing mathematics as a major has been declining, and the field is not attracting enough new talent. Tao attributes this to a lack of appreciation for mathematics in popular culture, making it seem uncool or uninteresting to students. He emphasizes the importance of mathematics in solving real-world problems, such as cryptography, coding theory, and machine learning, and suggests that mathematicians are needed to tackle complex challenges like climate change and data privacy. Tao also highlights the need for more mathematicians in areas like algebraic geometry, which has applications in fields like computer vision and cryptography.