OpenAI claim summary for Phys-79

QAOA reaches the SK ground value when thermodynamic size is taken first

OpenAI's claim

OpenAI presents a proof in the selected manuscript. QAOA is claimed to approach the SK ground-energy density when system size goes to infinity before depth, using deterministic disorder-independent angles but no effective depth bound.

Mathematical statement of the claimed result

Result 1.

For independent standard Gaussian $J_{ij}$, set $C_{n,J}=n^{-1/2}\sum_{i<j}J_{ij}Z_iZ_j$ and $B_n=\sum_iX_i$, with Pauli operators. A depth-$p$ QAOA state is \[ \psi_{n,p,J}=e^{-i\beta_pB_n}e^{-i\gamma_pC_{n,J}}\cdots e^{-i\beta_1B_n}e^{-i\gamma_1C_{n,J}}|+\rangle^{\otimes n}. \] For deterministic parameters, put $v_p(\gamma,\beta)=\lim_n n^{-1}\mathbb E\langle\psi,C_{n,J}\psi\rangle$ and $Q_p=\sup_{\gamma,\beta\in\mathbb R^p}v_p$. The claim is \[ \lim_{p\to\infty}Q_p=P_*,\qquad P_*=\lim_n n^{-1}\mathbb E\max_{\sigma\in\{\pm1\}^n} n^{-1/2}\sum_{i<j}J_{ij}\sigma_i\sigma_j. \] For each accuracy $\varepsilon>0$, one finite depth and parameter vector, independent of both instance and size, achieves $v_p\ge P_*-\varepsilon$. The size limit is taken first.

Outline of the argument

Fixed circuit words have an exact limiting tree calculus. A nearly optimal bounded classical formula is compiled with seeded controls, then longitudinal seeds are removed; the ordinary cost-and-mixer word retains the limiting expected energy in the thermodynamic-first order.

Formal verification

For family 281, the selected value identities express the SK ground energy through an admissible Parisi minimizer and diffusion, without asserting QAOA circuit convergence. A distinct full-support statement covers integrable zero-temperature minimizers. The listed Comparator files are SKFullSupport.lean, SKValue.lean. The inventory does not supply a named declaration for these Comparator entries. This site has not executed the Lean code. The scope descriptions do not certify the remaining manuscript arguments.

Status caveat

OpenAI attributes these manuscripts to work by an internal model. Its release cautions that arguments without formalization can contain mistakes. This catalogue has not independently checked the proofs; the labels report the mathematical claims attributed to OpenAI.

Sources

• OpenAI, QAOA attains the SK ground-state energy in the thermodynamic-first limit, 2026-09-25; citation key OAI:QAOA-attains-the-SK-ground-state-energy-in-the-thermodynamic-first-limit-September-25-2026. PDF (GitHub); PDF (direct); Manuscript page and citation; Latest version; Statement source: thm:main.
• Family 281: Lean scope.
• Comparator SKFullSupport.json.
• Comparator SKFullSupport.lean.
• Comparator SKValue.json.
• Comparator SKValue.lean.
• OpenAI catalogue entry.