Quantum volunteer's dilemma
The volunteer's dilemma is a well-known game in game theory that models the conflict players face when deciding whether to volunteer for a collective benefit, knowing that volunteering incurs a personal cost. In this work we introduce a quantum variant of the classical volunteer's dilemma,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Physical Society
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Research |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013104 |
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| _version_ | 1832584213126184960 |
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| author | Dax Enshan Koh Kaavya Kumar Siong Thye Goh |
| author_facet | Dax Enshan Koh Kaavya Kumar Siong Thye Goh |
| author_sort | Dax Enshan Koh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The volunteer's dilemma is a well-known game in game theory that models the conflict players face when deciding whether to volunteer for a collective benefit, knowing that volunteering incurs a personal cost. In this work we introduce a quantum variant of the classical volunteer's dilemma, generalizing it by allowing players to utilize quantum strategies. Employing the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein quantization framework, we analyze a multiplayer quantum volunteer's dilemma scenario with an arbitrary number of players, where the cost of volunteering is shared equally among the volunteers. We derive analytical expressions for the players' expected payoffs and demonstrate the quantum game's advantage over the classical game. In particular, we prove that the quantum volunteer's dilemma possesses symmetric Nash equilibria with larger expected payoffs compared to the unique symmetric Nash equilibrium of the classical game, wherein players use mixed strategies. Furthermore, we show that the quantum Nash equilibria we identify are Pareto optimal. Our findings reveal distinct dynamics in volunteer's dilemma scenarios when players adhere to quantum rules, underscoring a strategic advantage of decision making in quantum settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e43096fba236454ba112d92c4ebdff63 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2643-1564 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e43096fba236454ba112d92c4ebdff632025-01-27T15:04:38ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-01-017101310410.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013104Quantum volunteer's dilemmaDax Enshan KohKaavya KumarSiong Thye GohThe volunteer's dilemma is a well-known game in game theory that models the conflict players face when deciding whether to volunteer for a collective benefit, knowing that volunteering incurs a personal cost. In this work we introduce a quantum variant of the classical volunteer's dilemma, generalizing it by allowing players to utilize quantum strategies. Employing the Eisert-Wilkens-Lewenstein quantization framework, we analyze a multiplayer quantum volunteer's dilemma scenario with an arbitrary number of players, where the cost of volunteering is shared equally among the volunteers. We derive analytical expressions for the players' expected payoffs and demonstrate the quantum game's advantage over the classical game. In particular, we prove that the quantum volunteer's dilemma possesses symmetric Nash equilibria with larger expected payoffs compared to the unique symmetric Nash equilibrium of the classical game, wherein players use mixed strategies. Furthermore, we show that the quantum Nash equilibria we identify are Pareto optimal. Our findings reveal distinct dynamics in volunteer's dilemma scenarios when players adhere to quantum rules, underscoring a strategic advantage of decision making in quantum settings.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013104 |
| spellingShingle | Dax Enshan Koh Kaavya Kumar Siong Thye Goh Quantum volunteer's dilemma Physical Review Research |
| title | Quantum volunteer's dilemma |
| title_full | Quantum volunteer's dilemma |
| title_fullStr | Quantum volunteer's dilemma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantum volunteer's dilemma |
| title_short | Quantum volunteer's dilemma |
| title_sort | quantum volunteer s dilemma |
| url | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013104 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT daxenshankoh quantumvolunteersdilemma AT kaavyakumar quantumvolunteersdilemma AT siongthyegoh quantumvolunteersdilemma |