Archive · 7 Dec 2025
Calculators remain reliable amid AI rise
Calculators are still very popular, even though AI is getting better at math.
Casio, a big calculator company, sells millions of them every year.
AI can do complex math, but sometimes it makes mistakes with simple addition.
Calculators are reliable and don't make mistakes.
They are also cheaper than smartphones and work well in places without good internet.
Some people like using calculators because they are easy to use and durable.
AI is good at math, but it can't always explain how it got the answer.
Calculators might not be as smart as AI, but they are still very useful.
Casio sold 39 million calculators globally in the year to March 2025, down from 45 million in 2019-20 but up from 31 million post-pandemic.
AI models from Google, OpenAI, and DeepSeek achieved gold-level scores at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) but did not attain perfect scores.
Calculators are preferred for their reliability, affordability, and durability, especially in regions with limited smartphone connectivity.
AI can handle complex mathematical problems but sometimes struggles with basic addition and lacks the tactile experience of physical calculators.
Casio's executive acknowledges the declining market for personal calculators in business but sees potential growth in developing countries.
- Who
- Casio, AI models (Google, OpenAI, DeepSeek), IMO president Gregor Dolinar, calculator users
- What
- Calculators remain popular despite AI advancements due to reliability and affordability
- When
- Annual sales data up to March 2025, IMO in July 2024
- Where
- Global, with focus on Japan, Thailand, and developing countries
- Why
- Calculators are reliable, affordable, and durable, while AI sometimes struggles with basic math and lacks the tactile experience of physical calculators
- Company
- Casio
- Annual Sales (2024-2025)
- 39 million
- Sales Comparison (2019-2020)
- 45 million
- Sales Comparison (2020-2021)
- 31 million
- AI Math Contest
- International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
- AI Participants
- Google, OpenAI, DeepSeek
- Human Perfect Scores
- 5
- AI Perfect Scores
- 0