Trends in quantum reinforcement learning: State‐of‐the‐arts and the road ahead

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.