30/06/2025

Nissenbaum entertains OBMEP medalists with logic and AI challenges.

“Do you know the difference between a cat and a dog?” The question opened the lecture by IMPA project scientist Lucas Nissenbaum at the 19th OBMEP 2024 awards ceremony, which takes place this Monday (30), in Rio de Janeiro. The humorous question was part of the conversation about artificial intelligence, which included logic challenges and mathematical patterns, with great audience participation.

“This is my second time presenting, and one thing I really like is that the students are very motivated. They always want to ask questions; you can see the interest in their faces. They like to discuss problems, they like to be challenged. So, this is a really great opportunity for me,” Nissenbaum said about the audience interaction during the lecture.

Nissenbaum also spoke about the importance of addressing the topic of artificial intelligence with the medalists. “I think AI is becoming increasingly assimilated. This generation's university curriculum will already include artificial intelligence. It's already part of their lives; most of them already have a cell phone, most probably have a basic artificial intelligence device in their pocket. It's important for them to understand a little about what AI is trying to do, how it can distinguish a cat from a dog, for example. To think fundamentally about how AI creates structures,” he explained.

Renan Ferreirinha

Also present at the event was the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Secretary of Education, Renan Ferreirinha, who shared with the students his academic journey, which included two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools), as well as acceptance with a full scholarship to Harvard University in the United States.

“IMPA is one of the five leading centers for mathematical research in the world. So, we have to say this: our students can also produce high-level mathematics. We can and should make our students fall in love with mathematics, and that is a mission for each one of you,” said Ferreirinha.

The students praised the presentations. “It’s great to meet an important figure like the [Rio de Janeiro] Secretary of Education, who has a similar background to ours. Lucas Nissenbaum’s lecture was also very interesting. The questions were a lot of fun,” said student Caio Facó from Fortaleza (CE).

Mariana Nomura, a student from São Paulo, highlighted the inspiring message conveyed in the presentation. “It was a message of motivation to pursue our dreams and continue studying. We can achieve great things, just like them.”

Julia Passarine from Minas Gerais shared her colleagues' opinion. “I thought the AI lecture was really cool. Thinking about solutions to problems is always a lot of fun. And Renan Ferreirinha's story is very good, it inspired me a lot, since I also want to study abroad.”

This Monday (30) at 3:30 pm, 683 students from all over Brazil will receive the gold medals of the 19th OBMEP during the National Award Ceremony which will be attended by the Ministers of Education, Camilo Santana, and of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, as well as the Director-General and Deputy Director of IMPA, Marcelo Viana and Jorge Vitório Pereira, and the Secretary of Education of Rio, Renan Ferreirinha.