A quantum algorithm to train neural networks using low-depth circuits

Can near-term gate model based quantum processors offer quantum advantage for practical applications in the pre-fault tolerance noise regime? A class of algorithms which have shown some promise in this regard are the so-called classical-quantum hybrid variational algorithms. Here we develop a low-depth quantum algorithm to generative neural networks using variational quantum circuits. We introduce a method which employs the quantum approximate optimization algorithm as a subroutine in order produce then sample low-energy distributions of Ising Hamiltonians. We sample these states to train neural networks and demonstrate training convergence for numerically simulated noisy circuits with depolarizing errors of rates of up to 4\%.