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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology Convergence (ICTC)

Quantum Reinforcement Learning: An Overview

Gyu Seon Kim, Soohyun Park, Joongheon Kim

Published Oct 16, 2024• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Recent research in quantum computing has gained significant momentum, promising transformative advances across various fields, including artificial intelligence (AI). This paper focuses on quantum reinforcement learning (QRL), which utilizes quantum neural network (QNN) to address the inherent chal-lenges in conventional reinforcement learning (RL) frameworks. For a comprehensive examination of QRL, in this paper, the structure of QNN is explored in-depth, including the functional roles of key quantum circuit gates such as the unitary, rotation, controlled-X, and Hadamard gates. This paper also discusses the primary components of QNN, namely state encoding, parameterized quantum circuits (PQC), and measurement processes. Furthermore, the application of IBM qiskit for the visualization of quantum states and circuits is highlighted, providing practical insights into the deployment of quantum principles in RL. Consequently, this paper encapsulates the potential of QRL to revolutionize AI, positioning it as a pivotal area of future research and development in quantum computing.

DOI
10.1109/ictc62082.2024.10826656

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Recent research in quantum computing has gained significant momentum, promising transformative advances across various fields, including artificial intelligence (AI). This paper focuses on quantum reinforcement learning (QRL), which utilizes quantum neural network (QNN) to address the inherent chal-lenges in conventional reinforcement learning (RL) frameworks. For a comprehensive examination of QRL, in this paper, the structure of QNN is explored in-depth, including the functional roles of key quantum circuit gates such as the unitary, rotation, controlled-X, and Hadamard gates. This paper also discusses the primary components of QNN, namely state encoding, parameterized quantum circuits (PQC), and measurement processes. Furthermore, the application of IBM qiskit for the visualization of quantum states and circuits is highlighted, providing practical insights into the deployment of quantum principles in RL. Consequently, this paper encapsulates the potential of QRL to revolutionize AI, positioning it as a pivotal area of future research and development in quantum computing.
Quantum Reinforcement Learning (QRL) represents a groundbreaking approach at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, promising to revolutionize decision-making processes across various domains. This chapter explores the fundamental principles of QRL and its diverse applications in critical sectors, including transportation networks, healthcare, financial decision-making, and smart energy systems. By leveraging the computational advantages of quantum algorithms, QRL enhances traditional reinforcement learning techniques, enabling more efficient data processing and improved strategic decision-making capabilities. Case studies within this chapter illustrate the transformative potential of QRL in optimizing logistics, improving medical imaging, and enhancing energy management strategies. The findings underscore the need for further exploration of quantum applications to fully harness their capabilities and address contemporary challenges. This comprehensive examination provides a solid foundation for researchers and practitioners aiming to integrate quantum technologies into real-world applications, paving the way for innovative solutions and sustainable advancements.
Quantum Reinforcement Learning (QRL) has emerged as a promising research field, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to enhance the performance of reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms. However, despite its growing interest, QRL still faces significant challenges. It is still uncertain if QRL can show any advantage over classical RL beyond artificial problem formulations. Additionally, it is not yet clear which streams of QRL research show the greatest potential. The lack of a unified benchmark and the need to evaluate the reliance on quantum principles of QRL approaches are pressing questions. This work aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive comparison of three major QRL classes: Parameterized Quantum Circuit based QRL (PQC-QRL) (with one policy gradient (QPG) and one Q-Learning (QDQN) algorithm), Free Energy based QRL (FE-QRL), and Amplitude Amplification based QRL (AA-QRL). We introduce a set of metrics to evaluate the QRL algorithms on the widely applicable benchmark of gridworld games. Our results provide a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the QRL classes, shedding light on the role of quantum principles in QRL and paving the way for future research in this field.
Exploring the convergence of quantum computing and machine learning, this paper delves into Quantum Reinforcement Learning (QRL) with a specific focus on Variational Quantum Circuits (VQC). Alongside a comprehensive examination of the field, the study presents a concrete implementation of QRL tailored to foundational gym environments. Leveraging principles from Quantum Computing, experiments reveal QRL’s potential in enhancing reinforcement learning tasks within these environments, showcasing notable space optimization for RL models. Quantitative results indicate a reduction in the number of trainable parameters by up to 90% when compared to classical approaches, significantly improving efficiency, mainly due to quantum principles of superposition and entanglement. This highlights the promising implications of integrating quantum computing techniques to address challenges and advance capabilities in fundamental reinforcement learning scenarios. Furthermore, the study discusses the adaptability of QRL algorithms to diverse problem domains, suggesting their potential for scalability and applicability beyond simple environments. Such versatility underscores the robustness and practical relevance of QRL methodologies in real-world scenarios, positioning them as valuable tools for tackling complex reinforcement learning challenges.
Abstract This paper presents the basic quantum reinforcement learning theory and its applications to various engineering problems. With the advances in quantum computing and deep learning technologies, various research works have focused on quantum deep learning and quantum machine learning. In this paper, quantum neural network (QNN)‐based reinforcement learning (RL) models are discussed and introduced. Moreover, the pros of the QNN‐based RL algorithms and models, such as fast training, high scalability, and efficient learning parameter utilization, are presented along with various research results. In addition, one of the well‐known multi‐agent extensions of QNN‐based RL models, the quantum centralized‐critic and multiple‐actor network, is also discussed and its applications to multi‐agent cooperation and coordination are introduced. Finally, the applications and future research directions are introduced and discussed in terms of federated learning, split learning, autonomous control, and quantum deep learning software testing.
Recent advancements in quantum computing (QC) and machine learning (ML) have sparked considerable interest in the integration of these two cutting-edge fields. Among the various ML techniques, reinforcement learning (RL) stands out for its ability to address complex sequential decision-making problems. RL has already demonstrated substantial success in the classical ML community. Now, the emerging field of Quantum Reinforcement Learning (QRL) seeks to enhance RL algorithms by incorporating principles from quantum computing. This paper offers an introduction to this exciting area for the broader AI and ML community.
Many challenges arising in Quantum Technology can be successfully addressed using a set of machine learning algorithms collectively known as reinforcement learning (RL), based on adaptive decision-making through interaction with the quantum device. After a concise and intuitive introduction to RL aimed at a broad physics readership, we discuss the key ideas and core concepts in reinforcement learning with a particular focus on quantum systems. We then survey recent progress in RL in all relevant areas. We discuss state preparation in few- and many-body quantum systems, the design and optimization of high-fidelity quantum gates, and the automated construction of quantum circuits, including applications to variational quantum eigensolvers and architecture search. We further highlight the interactive capabilities of RL agents, emphasizing recent progress in quantum feedback control and quantum error correction, and briefly discuss quantum reinforcement learning as well as applications to quantum metrology. The review concludes with a discussion of open challenges -- such as scalability, interpretability, and integration with experimental platforms -- and outlines promising directions for future research. Throughout, we highlight experimental implementations that exemplify the increasing role of reinforcement learning in shaping the development of quantum technologies.