Quantum Machine Learning on Near-Term Quantum Computers

Machine Learning has revolutionised the fields of natural language processing, image processing, generative modelling and others. As the field of quantum computing develops, it seems almost natural to ask what benefits the use of quantum computers can have on the field of machine learning - if any. Many existing quantum algorithms for machine learning have been noted for their long-termism and carry with them great assumptions about the capabilities of quantum computers in the future. The more open, and arguably interesting, question is what can the quantum computers of the foreseeable future do for machine learning? Restricting to nearer-term quantum computers requires a more flexible approach. Could hybrid quantum-classical architectures be useful? Can quantum computers aid classical machine learning, instead of replace it? Is there a noise-robust method of learning with a quantum computer? My PhD is concerned with answering these questions by developing new quantum algorithms and testing them by simulation and/or through existing quantum hardware.

Quantum technologies promise a transformation of the fields of measurement, communication and information processing. They present a particular opportunity since they are disruptive technologies: not only do they offer a chance for rapid growth but they also allow lesser participants in a field (such as the UK in IT) to become major players through appropriate risk-taking and manpower development. Students graduating from the InQuBATE Skills Hub will have the right mindset to work in the industries where quantum technologies will be applied, and help to break down the traditional barriers between those sectors to make this transformation happen. They will have all the necessary technical and transferable skills, plus a network of contacts with our partners, their fellow cohort members and the academic supervisors.

Our commercial partners are keen to help our students realise their potential and achieve the impact we expect of them, through the training they offer and their contributions to the centre's research. They include companies who have already developed quantum technologies to products in quantum communication (Toshiba) and optimization (D-Wave), large corporates who are investing in quantum technology because they see its potential to transform their businesses in aerospace, defence, instrumentation and internet services (Lockheed Martin, Google,) and government agencies with key national responsibilities (NPL). We want to see the best communication of our students' research, so our students will benefit from the existing training programme set up with a leading scientific publisher (Nature Publishing Group); we also want to see more of the future companies that lead this field based the UK, so we have partnered with venture capital group DFJ Esprit to judge and mentor the acceleration of our students' innovations toward the market.