Jennifer Pedraza contestó a mensaje de Gustavo Petro sobre el Nobel de Albert Einstein: “Demagogia y culto a la ignorancia”

The recent statements by President Gustavo Petro regarding the connection between quantum physics, artificial intelligence, and technology elicited a strong response from the academic community. Petro introduced these concepts during an official Council of Ministers broadcast on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, where he made links between quantum physics, technological advancement, and Colombia’s digital sovereignty.

Recently, Petro sought to defend his statements on social media, also referencing Nobel laureate Albert Einstein.

In this context, representative Jennifer Pedraza responded to the president’s message, labeling his remarks as “demagoguery and a cult of ignorance.” Petro’s claims connecting quantum physics and technological development continued to stir controversy and prompted further critiques in public discourse.

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Amid the controversy, Petro turned to social media to maintain his stance, addressing criticism regarding his assertions. The president pointed out that delocalization is a central element in quantum physics, linking it to the recognition awarded to Albert Einstein by the scientific community. This response was part of an interaction with a user named Rafael.

“Very well, Rafael, indeed delocalization is a core concept of quantum physics. It’s fundamental to the experiment that confirmed why Einstein received his Nobel Prize,” the president remarked in his message.

Petro reiterated that artificial intelligence is grounded in the principles of quantum physics, bringing attention to national technological sovereignty. He emphasized: “However, the central issue that Congress does not wish to discuss is whether the computational capacity and digital cloud, essential for artificial intelligence, will be sovereign, meaning installed and hosted in Colombia or offered at bargain rates to the five richest people in the world (sic).”

Representative Jennifer Pedraza criticized Gustavo Petro following his statements about quantum physics and Albert Einstein’s Nobel Prize, questioning the government’s lack of support for scientific research in Colombia. Pedraza underscored that instead of focusing on abstract discussions, the president should prioritize science funding and address allegations of workplace persecution within the Ministry of Science.

“Instead of speaking so much, Mr. President, you should fund science. Your government has slashed the budget for @MincienciasCo the most, and allegations of persecution against ministry staff are rampant. Your government embodies demagoguery and a cult of ignorance,” she tweeted in a message on social media platform X as a member of the First Commission of the House of Representatives.

In addition to Jennifer Pedraza’s critiques, Moisés Wasserman, former rector of the National University of Colombia, had previously responded to the president’s statements.

Wasserman utilized his social media to counter President Gustavo Petro’s interpretation of the contributions of Albert Einstein and the advancements mentioned by the president. The academic emphasized that Einstein did not work in the scientific domains referred to both in the Council of Ministers and in Petro’s subsequent social media messages.

“The truth is that Einstein did not conduct any experiments; he was also not a quantum physicist. He received the Nobel Prize for his theory explaining the photoelectric effect. None of this is relevant,” Wasserman stated in his message on social media platform X in response to the head of state’s comments.

The intervention by Moisés Wasserman gained significant traction and was perceived by many users as a crucial clarification regarding how Gustavo Petro presented the link between Albert Einstein, quantum physics, and the photoelectric effect.

The exchange of opinions transcended academic circles and gained momentum in political and social arenas, underscoring the necessity of employing scientific concepts accurately when discussing technological policy and digital autonomy in Colombia.