Information Theoretic Foundations for Physics

In the last few decades, there has been a growing consensus that information theory is of fundamental importance for theoretical physics. The information paradigm has yielded successes in many different areas of the foundations of physics, including the development and application of quantum information theory, Jacobson’s thermodynamic derivation of the Einstein equations, the black-hole information paradox, Jaynes’ maximum entropy principle, or operational approaches to the foundations of quantum mechanics. These novel approaches are obviously motivated by the development of modern computer science and information technology, continuing the linkage of science and technology that once also linked the steam engine to the development of thermodynamics.

Parallel to this fruitful development, there is a growing number of physicists who endorse the general attitude that fundamental physics may need new foundations or at least a new perspective. Despite amazing recent successes, there remains the profound challenge that experiments have not confirmed many of the recent theoretical ideas: the universe seems simpler than our ideas of unification predicted. Information-theoretic approaches can provide a starting point, which is exceptionally careful in the assumptions that it makes, and broad in its applicability, since it does not rely on specific laws of motion or formal properties of underlying theories.  As such it can complement other research activities in the field.  For instance, information-theoretic operational approaches may also help in developing a missing "operational sense" and a conceptual scheme for already existing approaches to quantum gravity.

Triggered by quantum information theory, information-theoretic approaches to fundamental physics are currently experiencing an exceptional growth, with a flourishing of new results and an increasing amount of scientists joining the general research direction. We want to boost this process by organizing a conference that is able to bring together researchers from different fields of theoretical physics, in order to discuss information-theoretic approaches and their potential for innovations in the foundations of physics, ideally building an international community of researchers that are aware of this new direction and pursue it in fruitful collaborations. The aim of the conference is to provide an overview and discussion over existing ideas and approaches, promoting the exchange and cross-fertilization of ideas, developing a common language for different communities involved, and enabling collaborative work in a relaxed atmosphere.

In order to foster this process, the schedule will be restricted to five talks a day, together with a substantial amount of time reserved for free discussions and collaboration.  There will also be organized discussion sessions which will allow people from different fields to engage in the cross-community common topic discourse.  The organzied sessions will be subject to a more structured time plan to have more people speak out.

Registration for this conference is now closed.