SEQUENT: Towards Traceable Quantum Machine Learning using Sequential Quantum Enhanced Training

TL;DR

SEQUENT introduces a new architecture and training process for hybrid quantum-classical machine learning, enabling traceability of quantum impact and improving the development of beneficial quantum-enhanced models.

Contribution

The paper proposes SEQUENT, a novel sequential training method that separates classical and quantum impacts, addressing limitations of current concurrent training approaches.

Findings

Formal evidence shows disadvantages of current methods.

Preliminary experiments demonstrate SEQUENT's applicability.

SEQUENT improves traceability of quantum effects in hybrid models.

Abstract

Applying new computing paradigms like quantum computing to the field of machine learning has recently gained attention. However, as high-dimensional real-world applications are not yet feasible to be solved using purely quantum hardware, hybrid methods using both classical and quantum machine learning paradigms have been proposed. For instance, transfer learning methods have been shown to be successfully applicable to hybrid image classification tasks. Nevertheless, beneficial circuit architectures still need to be explored. Therefore, tracing the impact of the chosen circuit architecture and parameterization is crucial for the development of beneficially applicable hybrid methods. However, current methods include processes where both parts are trained concurrently, therefore not allowing for a strict separability of classical and quantum impact. Thus, those architectures might produce models that yield a superior prediction accuracy whilst employing the least possible quantum impact. To tackle this issue, we propose Sequential Quantum Enhanced Training (SEQUENT) an improved architecture and training process for the traceable application of quantum computing methods to hybrid machine learning. Furthermore, we provide formal evidence for the disadvantage of current methods and preliminary experimental results as a proof-of-concept for the applicability of SEQUENT.