Truth, Quantum Physics, AI

Truth, Quantum Physics, and Artificial Intelligence

Bart Binning, Ed. D.

September 4, 2026

We are in a time of shifting paradigms where the past is no longer a good predictor of the future.  Because of the rapid advances in, and society’s general lack of understanding in Artificial Intelligence in general and the Quantum world in specific, we are experiencing uncertainty to a degree unparalleled in history.

Newtonian science describes the everyday world of objects, motion, and forces that we experience directly. Quantum physics, by contrast, is used to describe the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level.  Newtonian science is deterministic with exact laws and formulas used to describe, for example, the exact future position of a moving object.  Quantum science is probabilistic, not able to give exact paths; only providing the chance or likelihood of where a particle might be.  In fact, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (first published in 1927 and a fundamental concept in Quantum Mechanics) says that “there is a limit to the precision with which certain pairs of physical properties, such as position and momentum, can be simultaneously known.”

So…..

How many of us have the education to describe the difference between Newtonian and Quantum worlds? At a time of social instability caused by a shifting paradigm, how do we make things better?

My contention is that although science increasingly recognizes uncertainty and probability within the physical world, human flourishing still depends upon enduring commitments to truth and trust. Indeed, many of today’s social divisions stem from a weakening commitment to both.

While trust concerns how we relate to one another, truth concerns how we understand reality itself. Historically, societies have depended upon shared assumptions about what is true. Today, developments in science and technology have led some people to question whether objective truth still exists.

Francis Collins suggests Trust is a personal value consisting of four components ¹ [i]

1. Competence – This aspect of trust is when we view someone as having the sufficient knowledge, skills, abilities to make a correct decision in a given context.
2. Integrity –This dimension of trust is when we view others as honest and principled.
3. Consistency – We all know “that” leader. The one who is unpredictable in their behavior, doesn’t offer accurate information and fails to walk the talk. When we lack consistency trust, people are always on edge with us and not sure what to expect.
4. Connection – Demonstrating positive intentions toward others, being compassionate and ensuring others believe you have their back is often the foundation of trust. When we know people want what is best for us or when we feel a sense of loyalty among our team, we have the connection aspect of trust.

In today’s environment, the question becomes important to ask:

Is there Immutable Truth in a time when Quantum Physics and Artificial Intelligence challenge some of our traditional assumptions about certainty, prediction, and knowledge?

In traditional physical sciences, we define:

• Immutable Truth as a fact or principle that never changes, regardless of time or human opinion.
• Mathematics and Logic as basic rules such as 2 + 2 = 4, or the Law of Non-Contradiction (something cannot be true and false at the same time)
• Physical Constants, such as Speed of light in vacuum: 299,792,458 ms⁻¹

In Quantum Physics (the study of matter and energy at the smallest atomic scale) At the quantum level, probability becomes fundamental to prediction. Rather than predicting exact outcomes, physicists calculate the likelihood of different outcomes.  For example,

• Superposition – a state in which a quantum particle is described by multiple possible outcomes until a measurement is made.
• Probability replaces certainty – At the quantum level, probability becomes fundamental to prediction. Rather than predicting exact outcomes, physicists calculate the likelihood of different outcomes. Instead of being able to predict exactly where an electron will be at a specific time, we can predict a probability (chance) of an electron being in a generalized area of space/time.  The probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics does not mean that reality is subjective. The equations governing quantum behavior are themselves objective and remarkably reliable.

We may not always possess certainty about reality, but uncertainty does not imply the absence of truth. Science often advances by refining our understanding of truths that exist independently of our current knowledge.  Quantum mechanics does not eliminate truth; rather, it changes how certain truths are expressed and measured.

While quantum mechanics challenges certainty at the physical level, Artificial Intelligence introduces uncertainty at the informational level. Unlike quantum systems, which obey objective mathematical laws, AI systems can generate convincing statements that may be accurate or inaccurate. Modern AI systems are trained on vast amounts of data using machine learning techniques such as neural networks and backpropagation. Once trained, they can generate remarkably persuasive text, images, and analyses. However, the confidence of a response does not guarantee its accuracy, making discernment, verification, and critical thinking increasingly important.

While science may reveal that some aspects of the physical universe operate probabilistically, the human need for trust remains unchanged. Competence, integrity, consistency, and connection continue to be the foundations upon which relationships, organizations, and societies depend. In an age of uncertainty, the Rotary 4-Way Test may be more relevant than ever because it reminds us that truth is not merely a scientific question but also a moral responsibility.

The Rotary 4-Way Test was first created in 1932 by a Chicagoan, Herbert J. Taylor, who used it to redirect the culture of a cookware company headed for bankruptcy.  Rotary International adopted the code in 1943.  The 4-Way test describes questions to ask when describing how we should think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The 4-Way Test can be further condensed into two components, Trust and Truth, and it is my contention that part of our current observable breakdown in societal civility can be traced back to a breakdown in Trust and Truth.

One final point: Scientific uncertainty is not the same thing as moral relativism. Quantum mechanics may limit certainty about some measurements, and AI may complicate our ability to evaluate information, but neither eliminates the need for truth, integrity, trust, and ethical behavior.²

[i] ¹ Collins, Francis S. (2024) The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith and Trust, Little Brown and Company, p 185

² Microsoft Copilot