• Ginestra Bianconi proposes gravity arises from quantum relative entropy (QRE), linking spacetime geometry and matter fields through information theory.
• Melvin Vopson suggests gravity is a byproduct of the universe acting as a computer, compressing information to minimize entropy.
• Both theories offer new perspectives on gravity, potentially impacting our understanding of quantum gravity, cosmology, and the fundamental nature of the universe.

Recent research is challenging the conventional understanding of gravity, with two distinct theories gaining attention. One theory, developed by Ginestra Bianconi, posits that gravity emerges from quantum information theory, specifically quantum relative entropy (QRE). This framework connects spacetime geometry with matter fields. Another theory, proposed by Melvin Vopson, suggests that gravity is not a fundamental force but rather a consequence of the universe operating as a giant computer, optimizing information and minimizing entropy. Both theories offer novel perspectives on the nature of gravity and its place in the universe, opening new avenues for exploration in quantum gravity and cosmology.

• What: Two new theories challenge the conventional understanding of gravity: one suggesting it emerges from quantum information, the other proposing it's a byproduct of a computational universe.
• Who: Ginestra Bianconi (Queen Mary University of London) and Melvin Vopson (University of Portsmouth) are the key researchers behind these theories.
• When: Bianconi's research was published in Physical Review D on April 28, 2025. Vopson's study was published in AIP Advances on April 30, 2025.
• Where: The research is being conducted at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Portsmouth.

These new theories represent a significant shift in how physicists approach gravity. Bianconi's work connects gravity to the established link between statistical mechanics and black holes, providing a quantum information theory perspective. Vopson's simulation argument is more speculative but aligns with growing interest in the computational nature of the universe. The key difference lies in their foundations: Bianconi focuses on quantum information, while Vopson emphasizes information entropy and data compression. Both approaches face challenges, requiring further development and experimental validation to gain widespread acceptance. These studies also bring to the forefront fundamental questions about information as a building block of the universe. These theories could potentially reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter how to move.

My findings in this study fit with the thought that the universe might work like a giant computer, or our reality is a simulated construct. Just like computers try to save space and run more efficiently, the universe might be doing the same.

It's a new way to think about gravity — not just as a pull, but as something that happens when the universe is trying to stay organised.

The enigma of gravity persists, with emerging theories proposing its derivation from quantum information or its manifestation as computational optimization within a simulated reality. Bianconi's framework connects gravity to quantum relative entropy, suggesting that the spacetime metric can be represented as a quantum operator, offering a potential bridge between quantum mechanics and general relativity. Vopson's model posits gravity as a consequence of entropy reduction, akin to a cosmic data compression, indicating that the universe operates as a vast computer striving for informational efficiency. These perspectives, while divergent, converge on the idea that information plays a fundamental role in the nature of gravity and the structure of the universe. These theories introduce concepts such as the G-field, potentially linked to dark matter and the universe's expansion, and reframe gravity not merely as a force, but as an emergent phenomenon tied to the organization and compression of information. While these models align with Newtonian gravity, challenges remain in demonstrating compatibility with Einstein's equations and relativistic phenomena. Further exploration necessitates experimental validation, with proposed experiments aiming to test quantum gravity by probing weak gravitational fields at the quantum level and searching for gravity-mediated entanglement. These approaches could offer insights into quantum gravity, dark matter, and the fundamental relationship between information and the physical world.