In recent years, the field of quantum computing has significantly developed in both the improvement of hardware as well as the assembly of various software tools and platforms, including cloud access to quantum devices. Unfortunately, many of these resources are rapidly changing and thus lack accessibility and stability for robust algorithm prototyping and deployment. Effectively leveraging the array of hardware and software resources at a higher level, that can adapt to the rapid development of software and hardware, will allow for further advancement and democratization of quantum technologies to achieve useful computational tasks. As a way to approach this challenge, we present a flexible, high-level framework called algo2qpu that is well-suited for designing and testing instances of algorithms for near-term quantum computers on the cloud. Algorithms that employ adaptive protocols for optimizations of algorithm parameters can be grouped under the umbrella of "adaptive hybrid quantum-classical" (AHQC) algorithms. We demonstrate the utility of algo2qpu for near-term algorithm development by applying the framework to implement proof-of-principle instances of two AHQC algorithms that have applications in quantum chemistry and/or quantum machine learning, namely the quantum autoencoder and the variational quantum classifier, using Rigetti Computing's Forest platform.
In recent years, the field of quantum computing has significantly developed in both the improvement of hardware as well as the assembly of various software tools and platforms, including cloud access to quantum devices. Unfortunately, many of these resources are rapidly changing and thus lack accessibility and stability for robust algorithm prototyping and deployment. Effectively leveraging the array of hardware and software resources at a higher level, that can adapt to the rapid development of software and hardware, will allow for further advancement and democratization of quantum technologies to achieve useful computational tasks. As a way to approach this challenge, we present a flexible, high-level framework called algo2qpu that is well-suited for designing and testing instances of algorithms for near-term quantum computers on the cloud. Algorithms that employ adaptive protocols for optimizations of algorithm parameters can be grouped under the umbrella of "adaptive hybrid quantum-classical" (AHQC) algorithms. We demonstrate the utility of algo2qpu for near-term algorithm development by applying the framework to implement proof-of-principle instances of two AHQC algorithms that have applications in quantum chemistry and/or quantum machine learning, namely the quantum autoencoder and the variational quantum classifier, using Rigetti Computing's Forest platform.
Fault-tolerant quantum computers, when realized, guarantee significant speedups for particular computational tasks. Quantum hardware in the near term, however, is limited to low hundreds of noisy qubits that are not error-corrected. To leverage such devices as well as accommodate rapid developments in both hardware and algorithms, variational quantum algorithms (VQAs) were introduced. These algorithms have the potential to be useful in areas such as chemistry, optimization, machine learning, among others. Despite this potential, the largest experiment to date has employed just twelve qubits to implement the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), a VQA for simulating ground state energies of fermionic systems. In this dissertation, we present several methods for extending and further developing VQAs to step closer towards realizing applications in which quantum computers can provide meaningful advantages over classical computers. In the first part, we present methods for analyzing and optimizing parameterized quantum circuits (PQCs), a core component in VQAs for approximating target quantum states, e.g. ground state wavefunctions in VQE. To compare among PQCs and guide their design and selection, we introduce a set of algorithm-independent descriptors that can be estimated from simulations. Using these descriptors, we rule out circuits with limited capabilities in expressive and entangling powers. Next, we present a strategy for optimizing PQCs with large parameter counts and high redundancy by removing circuit operations that are less important for optimizing the algorithm objective, effectively reducing the search space. We demonstrate that this method enables larger VQE simulations by converging previously difficult optimizations while additionally reducing circuit resources. In the second part, we present methods for developing VQAs that are related to the quantum hardware. We introduce a new algorithm for simulating components of a quantum processor using an existing quantum computer. The goal of this application is to leverage near-term devices and algorithms to aid in the design of more powerful next-generation quantum hardware. Lastly, we present a guide for algorithm prototyping by deploying instances of VQAs on quantum computers via the cloud. We demonstrate instances of two algorithms, the quantum autoencoder and classifier, on an eight-qubit device. While further advancements in hardware and algorithms lie ahead, our work, along with developments from previous studies, represents significant progress towards realizing practical quantum advantage.
The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cloud infrastructure represents a paradigm shift in how intelligent systems are designed, trained, and deployed. As AI models continue to demand exponential computational resources, classical systems are increasingly reaching their performance limits in domains such as high-dimensional optimization, complex pattern recognition, and probabilistic modeling. Quantum computing, with its foundational principles of superposition, entanglement, and quantum parallelism, offers a theoretical edge in solving problems that are intractable for conventional hardware. However, the practical deployment of quantum algorithms—particularly those relevant to machine learning (ML) has been hindered by the limited scalability and accessibility of quantum hardware. To bridge this gap, cloud-based quantum computing platforms have emerged, providing remote, programmable access to quantum devices and hybrid runtimes. In this context, the present study offers a comprehensive review of cloud-delivered quantum AI systems, examining core architectures, hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, platform capabilities, and real-world use cases. The paper synthesizes recent advances and performance insights from systems such as Amazon Braket, IBM Quantum, and Azure Quantum, while critically analyzing algorithmic trends like variational quantum circuits and quantum kernel methods. It further explores challenges including circuit depth limitations, latency in hybrid models, and standardization barriers across toolchains. By consolidating current research and implementation patterns, this review aims to inform the design and future trajectory of scalable, cloud-native quantum AI applications.
Abstract In order to support near-term applications of quantum computing, a new compute paradigm has emerged—the quantum-classical cloud—in which quantum computers (QPUs) work in tandem with classical computers (CPUs) via a shared cloud infrastructure. In this work, we enumerate the architectural requirements of a quantum-classical cloud platform, and present a framework for benchmarking its runtime performance. In addition, we walk through two platform-level enhancements, parametric compilation and active qubit reset, that specifically optimize a quantum-classical architecture to support variational hybrid algorithms, the most promising applications of near-term quantum hardware. Finally, we show that integrating these two features into the Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform results in considerable improvements to the latencies that govern algorithm runtime.
Quantum Machine Learning (QML) represents a transformative intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, promising exponential speed-ups and new capabilities for data-driven tasks. However, the practical realization of QML is hindered by the current limitations of quantum hardware, including scalability constraints, qubit decoherence, and high error rates. Hybrid quantum-classical architectures have emerged as a pragmatic approach, leveraging classical resources alongside quantum processors to mitigate these hardware challenges. A promising direction for advancing QML is the integration of hybrid architectures into cloud computing platforms and mobile-edge environments. This approach enables scalable access to quantum resources, facilitates real-time data processing, and brings quantum-enhanced intelligence closer to end-users and devices. This article reviews the state-of-the-art in QML, focusing on how hybrid models and quantum algorithms are addressing the dual challenges of hardware scalability and architectural integration within cloud and mobile-edge computing contexts. Recent advances are analyzed, benchmark results are highlighted, and future directions for deploying robust, scalable QML systems in distributed computing environments are discussed.
Quantum computing, as an emerging computing paradigm, is expected to tackle problems such as quantum chemistry, optimization, quantum chemistry, information security, and artificial intelligence, which are intractable with using classical computing. Quantum computing hardware and software continue to develop rapidly, but they are not expected to realize universal quantum computation in the next few years. Therefore, the use of quantum hardware to solve practical problems in the near term has become a hot topic in the field of quantum computing. Exploration of the applications of near-term quantum hardware is of great significance in understanding the capability of quantum hardware and promoting the practical process of quantum computing. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithm (also known as variational quantum algorithm) is an appropriate model for near-term quantum hardware. In the hybrid quantum-classical algorithm, classical computers are used to maximize the power of quantum devices. By combining quantum computing with machine learning, the hybrid quantum-classical algorithm is expected to achieve the first practical application of quantum computation and play an important role in the studying of quantum computing. In this review, we introduce the framework of hybrid quantum-classical algorithm and its applications in quantum chemistry, quantum information, combinatorial optimization, quantum machine learning, and other fields. We further discuss the challenges and future research directions of the hybrid quantum-classical algorithm.
A quantum processor, like any computing device, requires the development of both hardware and the necessary set of software solutions, starting with quantum algorithms and ending with means of accessing quantum devices. As part of the roadmap for the development of the high-tech field of quantum computing in the period from 2020 to 2024, a set of software solutions for quantum computing devices was developed. This software package includes a set of quantum algorithms for solving prototypes of applied tasks, monitoring and benchmarking tools for quantum processors, error suppression and correction methods, tools for compiling and optimizing quantum circuits, as well as interfaces for remote cloud access. This review presents the key results achieved, among which it is necessary to mention the execution of quantum algorithms using a cloud-based quantum computing platform.