Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
A highly publicized story of a supposed mathematical genius from a vocational school in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, has been exposed as an orchestrated fraud, leading to widespread discussion about academic integrity and media responsibility.
The controversy began when Alibaba's DAMO Academy announced that Jiang Ping, a second-year vocational school student, had achieved 12th place in their mathematics competition's preliminary round. The story initially captured national attention as it seemed to represent a classic tale of talent emerging from humble beginnings.
However, local government authorities have now confirmed through official channels that Jiang's actual mathematical performance in school was far from exceptional, with test scores revealing she was an average student. The fraud was further exposed when mathematical experts pointed out numerous basic errors in her blackboard demonstrations, including fundamental mathematical mistakes that a genuine math talent would never make.
The incident has drawn criticism from multiple quarters, particularly targeting DAMO Academy for its role in promoting the story without proper verification. Mathematics scholars and students who initially questioned the authenticity of Jiang's abilities faced significant online backlash before being vindicated by the truth.
The aftermath has revealed a complex web of participants. The student's teacher, who allegedly helped orchestrate the deception by lending his competition account, received only minor administrative punishment. DAMO Academy, despite its role in amplifying the false narrative, has positioned itself as a victim of the fraud.
The case has sparked broader discussions about media responsibility and the pressure for viral content. Critics argue that DAMO Academy, which dispatched a media team to interview Jiang, prioritized potential publicity over verification of her abilities. The interview footage, later revealed to show mathematically nonsensical content, passed through multiple checkpoints before being published.
