I will focus on the finite structure constant and let spinors for another discussion. First, let's see Seth Lloyd's characterization in context:
For example, the ordinary electrostatic interaction between two
charged particles can be used to perform universal quantum logic
operations between two quantum bits. A bit is registered by the
presence or absence of a particle in a mode. The strength of the
interaction between the particles, [...], determines the amount of
time [...] it takes to perform a quantum logic operation such as a
Controlled-NOT on the two particles. Interestingly, the time it takes
to perform such an operation divided by the amount of time it takes to
send a signal at the speed of light between the bits [...] is a
universal constant [pi divided by 2 times the fine structure constant]
Ok, I agree that this characterization depends upon the electromagnetic interaction. In the Wolfram Model, electromagnetism can be developed as a particular case of gauge theory in the following way, I quote from the technical introduction:
In traditional physics, local gauge invariance already occurs in
classical theories (such as electromagnetism), and it is notable that
for us it appears to arise from considering multiway systems. Yet
although multiway systems appear to be deeply connected to quantum
mechanics, the aggregate symmetry phenomenon that leads to gauge
theories in effect makes slightly different use of the structure of
the multiway causal graph.