Towards mathematical AI via a model of the content and process of mathematical question and answer dialogues

Conference item

This paper outlines a strategy for building semantically meaningful representations and carrying out effective reasoning in technical knowledge domains such as mathematics. Our central assertion is that the semi-structured Q & A format, as used on the popular Stack Exchange network of websites, exposes domain knowledge in a form that is already reasonably close to the structured knowledge formats that computers can reason about. The knowledge in question is not only facts - but discursive, dialectical, argument for purposes of proof and pedagogy. We therefore assert that modelling the Q & A process computationally provides a route to domain understanding that is compatible with the day-to-day practices of mathematicians and students. This position is supported by a small case study that analyses one question from Mathoverflow in detail, using concepts from argumentation theory. A programme of future work, including a rigorous evaluation strategy, is then advanced.

Authors: Corneli, J; Martin, U; Murray-Rust, D; Pease, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Host title: Intelligent Computer Mathematics. CICM 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Journal: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Volume: 10383
• Pages: 132-146
• Publication date: 2017-06-28
• Acceptance date: 2017-05-12
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62075-6_10
• ISSN: 0302-9743
• ISBN: 9783319620749
• Keywords: Q&A; mathematics; argumentation