A team of physicists led by Mir Faizal at the University of British Columbia has demonstrated that the universe cannot be a computer simulation, according to research published in October 2025[^1].
The key findings show that reality requires non-algorithmic understanding that cannot be simulated computationally. The researchers used mathematical theorems from Gödel, Tarski, and Chaitin to prove that a complete description of reality cannot be achieved through computation alone[^1].
The team proposes that physics needs a "Meta Theory of Everything" (MToE) - a non-algorithmic layer above the algorithmic one to determine truth from outside the mathematical system[^1]. This would help investigate phenomena like the black hole information paradox without violating mathematical rules.
"Any simulation is inherently algorithmic – it must follow programmed rules," said Faizal. "But since the fundamental level of reality is based on non-algorithmic understanding, the universe cannot be, and could never be, a simulation"[^1].
Lawrence Krauss, a co-author of the study, explained: "The fundamental laws of physics cannot exist inside space and time; they create it. This signifies that any simulation, which must be utilized within a computational framework, would never fully express the true universe"[^2].
The research was published in the Journal of Holography Applications in Physics[^1].
[^1]: ScienceAlert - Physicists Just Ruled Out The Universe Being a Simulation
[^2]: The Brighter Side - The universe is not and could never be a simulation, study finds
Well yeah sure if you want a set algorithm to perfectly reproduce this exact universe deterministically, that's not gonna work out so well.
But a simulation doesn't have to be perfectly consistent and deterministic to "work". If anything, the fact that some things can't be predicted is evidence in favor of us being in a simulation, not against.
This paper just rules out a class of algorithms. Were not in a specific type of simulation. Doesn't mean we're not in a simulation at all.
The laws of physics have been consistent everywhere which is a basic premise over which the rest of the physics is based. Everything can be predicted however not very accurately. Every phenomenon has a function to determine probability of each and every outcome. That doesn't mean we know everything. Things we don't know makes us unable to be accurate.