Quantum Deep Learning Still Needs a Quantum Leap

TL;DR

Quantum computing has potential for deep learning, but current technological and algorithmic limitations mean significant breakthroughs are needed for meaningful impact in the next decades.

Contribution

This paper provides the first comprehensive survey of quantum algorithms for deep learning and analyzes their practical limitations and future research directions.

Findings

Quantum algorithms offer small theoretical improvements in matrix multiplication.

QRAM dependency remains a significant practical hurdle.

Large theoretical advantages are limited to special cases.

Abstract

Quantum computing technology is advancing rapidly. Yet, even accounting for these trends, a quantum leap would be needed for quantum computers to meaningfully impact deep learning over the coming decade or two. We arrive at this conclusion based on a first-of-its-kind survey of quantum algorithms and how they match potential deep learning applications. This survey reveals three important areas where quantum computing could potentially accelerate deep learning, each of which faces a challenging roadblock to realizing its potential. First, quantum algorithms for matrix multiplication and other algorithms central to deep learning offer small theoretical improvements in the number of operations needed, but this advantage is overwhelmed on practical problem sizes by how slowly quantum computers do each operation. Second, some promising quantum algorithms depend on practical Quantum Random Access Memory (QRAM), which is underdeveloped. Finally, there are quantum algorithms that offer large theoretical advantages, but which are only applicable to special cases, limiting their practical benefits. In each of these areas, we support our arguments using quantitative forecasts of quantum advantage that build on the work by Choi et al. [2023] as well as new research on limitations and quantum hardware trends. Our analysis outlines the current scope of quantum deep learning and points to research directions that could lead to greater practical advances in the field.