At a special livestream event marking the fourth anniversary of "Zhang Chaoyang's Physics Class," Zhang Chaoyang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Sohu.com, emphasized that while AI can streamline repetitive calculations, true understanding of physics requires personal engagement with formulas.

"In an era where people rely on AI for instant answers, AI does save us from tedious computational work—but only if we've first derived and comprehended the formulas ourselves," Zhang noted. He argued that genuine problem-solving in physics demands independent thinking. Without foundational knowledge, the mind lacks the elements for meaningful reasoning. "Even in the AI age, people must still study, derive, and understand formulas," he added.

Throughout his physics lectures, Zhang has consistently stressed the importance of manual calculations to grasp the essence of physics. This hands-on approach, he believes, reveals the core logic and order of the physical world, moving beyond abstract speculation.

Zhang also highlighted the symbiotic relationship between physics and mathematics. Physics, he explained, inspires mathematical breakthroughs—such as Newton's invention of calculus to decode planetary motion—while mathematics provides the language to describe universal laws, like Einstein's use of differential geometry in formulating general relativity.

"Mastering certain branches of math is essential because physical systems often involve derivatives and integrals," Zhang concluded.