Fields Medalist Timothy Gowers raises a troubling possibility: AI could become so powerful at mathematics that future generations may lose the motivation to study the subject deeply enough to understand its discoveries. The paradox is striking. Machines might eventually solve problems far beyond human capabilities, while fewer mathematicians possess the expertise needed to interpret their results. For Gowers, the deeper concern extends beyond the future of mathematical careers. It is about preserving the curiosity, intellectual discipline, and satisfaction of discovery that have sustained mathematics for centuries. He also envisions a possible transformation of the mathematician’s role, from discovering new theorems to interpreting, connecting, and explaining mathematical knowledge generated by AI. Reflecting on the approaching social consequences, Gowers offers a vivid analogy: “We’re still on the beach, we can see the tsunami, but it hasn’t quite reached us yet.” Importantly, he is not calling for mathematics departments to close or for universities to stop admitting PhD students. His remarks are cautious predictions about a possible future, rather than descriptions of changes that have already taken place.