Emergent Dark Matter from Information Density Gradients: A Unified ICT Framework for Spacetime Dynamics

In this work, we present the Information-Constrained Theory (ICT), a novel framework in which spacetime curvature and dark matter phenomena emerge directly from gradients of information density, without invoking hypothetical particles. By extending Einstein’s field equations to include a second-order information term, we define an effective dark matter stress-energy tensor that naturally reproduces flat galactic rotation curves and gravitational lensing effects. A detailed derivation of the coupling constant � demonstrates that it is determined by the characteristic scale of information gradients, anchoring the model in observable astrophysical data. ICT provides a unified, testable explanation for both gravitational dynamics and emergent dark matter, offering a fresh perspective on the structure of spacetime as an information-driven entity.