Quantum Computation and Quantum Learning -- James Pommersheim, March 2, 2004

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In recent years, computer scientists, physicists, and 
mathematicians alike have become excited by the idea of building a quantum 
computer, a computer which operates at the logical level according to 
quantum mechanical principles. Over the past decade, we have learned that 
such a computer would be capable of tasks, such as factoring large 
integers, which are widely believed to be difficult to solve on a classical 
computer. This technology would also enable two parties to communicate 
securely over a bugged channel.

In this talk, we will introduce a mathematical formulation of 
quantum computation. We will examine some of the problems at which 
quantum computers excel, including the problems of Bernstein-Vazirani 
and Grover. We will see how these problems fit in with classical learning 
theory, and present a new general method for finding quantum solutions to 
learning problems.