An introduction to quantum game theory

This essay gives a self-contained introduction to quantum game theory, and is primarily oriented to economists with little or no acquaintance with quantum mechanics. It assumes little more than a basic knowledge of vector algebra. Quantum mechanical notation and results are introduced as needed. It is also shown that some fundamental problems of quantum mechanics can be formulated as games.

Recent development in quantum computation and quantum information theory allows to extend the scope of game theory for the quantum world. The paper presents the history, basic ideas and recent development in quantum game theory. On grounds of the discussed material, we reason about possible future development of quantum game theory and its impact on information processing and the emerging information society.

Quantum game theory is the study of strategic behavior by agents with access to quantum technology. Broadly speaking, this technology can be employed in either of two ways: As part of a randomization device or as part of a communications protocol. We survey some of the main ideas from both branches of the subject.

We review both theoretical and experimental developments in the area of quantum games since the inception of the subject circa 1999. We will also offer a narrative on the controversy that surrounded the subject in its early days, and how this controversy has affected the development of the subject.

On grounds of the discussed material, we reason about possible future development of quantum game theory and its impact on information processing and the emerging information society. The idea of quantum artificial intelligence is explained.

Quantum games have proposed a new point of view for the solution of the classical problems and dilemmas in game theory. Certain quantization relationships can be proposed with the objective that a game can be generalized into a quantum domain where the linear superposition of actions is allowed. This quantization let us describe and solution problems originated by conflicting or cooperative behaviors among the members of a system from the point of view of quantum mechanical i...

In the time since a merger of quantum mechanics and game theory was proposed formally in 1999, the two distinct perspectives apparent in this merger of applying quantum mechanics to game theory, referred to henceforth as the theory of "quantized games", and of applying game theory to quantum mechanics, referred to henceforth as "gaming the quantum", have become synonymous under the single ill-defined term "quantum game". Here, these two perspectives are delineated and a game-...

Attention to the very physical aspects of information characterizes the current research in quantum computation, quantum cryptography and quantum communication. In most of the cases quantum description of the system provides advantages over the classical approach. Game theory, the study of decision making in conflict situation has already been extended to the quantum domain. We would like to review the latest development in quantum game theory that is relevant to information ...

We present a consistent formulation of quantum game theory that accommodates all possible strategies in Hilbert space. The physical content of the quantum strategy is revealed as a family of classical games representing altruistic game play supplemented by quantum interferences. Crucial role of the entanglement in quantum strategy is illustrated by an example of quantum game representing the Bell's experiment.

Main papers on quantum games are written by physicists for physicists, and the inevitable exploitation of physics jargon may create difficulties for mathematicians or economists. Our goal here is to make clear the physical content and to stress the new features of the games that may be revealed in their quantum versions. We first introduce from scratch the most fundamental facts of finite-dimensional quantum mechanics. In the main sections the foundations of quantum games are...