Do I understand this right that if the conjecture can be proved correct and the remaining issue about time gets solved we effectively have a grand unified theory?
Probably not. But it will be a big step in the direction.
There are two unifications that need to happen. One is the unification of the strong force with electro-weak force(the unified version of electromagnatic force and weak force). The other is gravity with the unification of the three forces.
As far as I understand, this work is concentrating on the second unification, and not the same. Though it might open the door for the first one too. Someone closer to this area should comment.
No. Our space-time is definately NOT Anti de Sitter (AdS). AdS/CFT is nothing more than very nice mathematics with applications in different fields of physics. It's not applicable to our universe.
There are two unifications that need to happen. One is the unification of the strong force with electro-weak force(the unified version of electromagnatic force and weak force). The other is gravity with the unification of the three forces.
As far as I understand, this work is concentrating on the second unification, and not the same. Though it might open the door for the first one too. Someone closer to this area should comment.