[Physics] What happens when you apply the path integral to the Einstein-Hilbert action

general-relativitypath-integralquantum-field-theoryquantum-gravityrenormalization

The Einstein Field Equations emerge when applying the principle of least action to the Einstein-Hilbert action, and from what I understand the path integral formulation generalizes the principle of least action. What happens when you apply the path integral instead of the action principle to the Einstein-Hilbert action?

Best Answer

Your questions essentially amounts to ask

How do we quantize GR?

which is the starting point of quantum gravity (QG). GR is a non-renormalizable theory, at least from the traditional perspective of perturbation theory in QFT. So the path integral with the (exponentiated) Einstein-Hilbert action as weight factor cannot easily be used to make meaningful physical predictions. New approaches to QG are needed, such as e.g. string theory (ST).