Mathematics is not just a scientific language, it is also innovation.

In her lecture “How Mathematics is Changing the World” at WM2, the Director of Research at the University of Paris-Dauphine, Maria J. Esteban, highlighted that the main function of applied mathematics is to create an impact on people's lives. This is what makes it feel useful.

"We all need mathematics, whether it's to have a cell phone, a car, buy medicine, do a Google search, and so on."

Read also: Pioneering UFF project informs about women scientists.
A minute of silence is observed in honor of Maryam Mirzakhani.
'Diversity means respecting different mathematical perspectives'

Esteban explains that mathematics is omnipresent in both industrial and technological development, but not only there. It is also present in the social sciences, such as economics, finance, insurance, and criminology, among others. Nowadays, it is unthinkable not to associate it with the areas of health, ecology, transportation, and energy.

One example the researcher cites is that, for certain products (like an airplane), creating a prototype for testing would be unfeasible. The high cost would make it impractical. Through computer simulation, it's possible to get very close to reality using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithms.

Therefore, Esteban concludes that mathematics is, or should be, present in the development of new technologies, in the organization of services, and in health strategies.