Abstract

In the Canonical theory of Quantum Gravity, states are given by the superposition of geometries on a Cauchy slice, called the Wheeler-DeWitt (WDW) states. On the other hand, the Holographic principle states that quantum gravity in d+1 spacetime dimensions is the same as a quantum field theory in d spacetime dimensions. In this talk, I will briefly review both of these and will explain how to reformulate canonical quantum gravity as a holographic theory by defining a new holographic dictionary that maps any state of the boundary field theory to a bulk WDW state. This also reformulates the holographic principle in a way that the dual field theory now lives on Cauchy slices of the bulk. I will then explain why this is a manifestly background independent theory of “effective” quantum gravity. Time permitting, I will also discuss possible implications for the black hole information paradox, holographic cosmology and UV completion of quantum gravity. Based on work with Goncalo Araujo-Regado and Aron C. Wall: arXiv:2204.00591.