Globant announced its joining of the IBM Quantum Network, an ecosystem of partners and clients who access real quantum hardware (processors with +100 qubits), Qiskit software and libraries, experts, training, and IBM events. Beyond the headline, this news is significant for two reasons: it highlights Latin America — a region where interest is growing but preparedness remains low — and brings companies closer to use cases and pilots with quantum machines at a time when, according to IBM, the technology is approaching utility.
The decision is made against a clear backdrop: the quantum market is advancing faster than the average organizational readiness. The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) estimates that the global quantum computing market went from $866 million in 2023 to a projected $4.375 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.3%. It also issues a stark warning: between $450 billion and $850 billion of potential net benefit to end users could materialize by 2035, but up to 90% of that value would go to early adopters. The problem: IBM’s Quantum Readiness Index (QRI) places the average preparedness at 22/100.
In Latin America, the challenges are particular. According to figures shared in Globant’s announcement, regional organizations estimate 13 years for full integration of quantum computing into their business, with barely 24% declaring alignment between their quantum strategy and overall business strategy. In other words: there’s interest, but a lack of roadmap and operational muscle.
What does joining the IBM Quantum Network bring to a company?
1) Access to enterprise-grade hardware and simulation.
IBM operates the largest fleet of commercial quantum computers, with devices >100 qubits and a public roadmap. Access to priority queues, runtimes, high-performance simulators, and Qiskit enables moving from theory to reproducible experiments.
2) Support and co-innovation.
Organizations join with mentorship from experts, repositories of circuits, and recipes for common problems (optimization, quantum machine learning, chemistry). This helps identify whether a use case is quantum (and when), avoiding costly dead-end testing.
3) Ecosystem impact.
Quantum-Ready Organizations (QROs) stand out for their active participation in ecosystems ( 60% do) and for cultivating internal/external talent. In contrast, 93% of the less-prepared do not participate in any ecosystem. The network acts as a learning accelerator.
4) Preparation for the “first practical quantum advantage”.
IBM anticipates that by late 2026, we will see the first results with practical quantum advantage (when a task is solved more accurately, precisely, or efficiently than in a reasonable classical approach). This is not science fiction: it’s the next phase following the observed utility in 2023–2024.
Where can quantum provide short/medium-term gains?
While hype often focuses on cryptography, more mature cases today are concentrated in:
- Combinatorial Optimization (supply chains, routing, scheduling).
- Quantitative Finance (pricing, portfolio optimization, risk).
- Chemistry/Materials (simulations for drugs, batteries, catalysis).
- Hybrid Machine Learning (feature maps, quantum kernels, VQCs) in workflows where the quantum component coexists with classical pipelines.
The keyword is hybridization: the value over 2–5 years will come from quantum-classical workflows orchestrated in the cloud, with steps that currently perform better on GPU/CPU and specific subroutines sent to the quantum backend.
Why does LATAM need to act now (not when “it arrives”)?
- Patent and R&D window. QROs are 2.5 times more motivated to patent and 3.5 times more motivated to accelerate innovation. That time advantage comprises: patents, know-how, and data from experiments that cannot be recovered later.
- Talent: the biggest obstacle is the skills gap. QROs are three times more effective at training, attracting STEM talent, and partnering with universities/labs.
- Regional ecosystem: the region lacks a critical mass of own hardware. Joining global networks shortens the curve and multiplies exposure to best practices.
What should Latin American CIOs/CTOs do immediately? (6-step plan)
1) Appoint a quantum leader and a “Pod”.
A small team (3–6 people) with clear mandate and metrics. The QRI shows that the operating model weighs more than the technology itself in current readiness.
2) Map “candidate problems”.
Look for “combinatorial/variational” formulations in core processes: routing, assignment, portfolios, matching, scheduling. Prioritize business value and available datasets.
3) Start “hybrid”.
Design POCs with quantum-classical workflows (Qiskit Runtime) and reproducible benchmarks (classical vs hybrid) using utility metrics (solution quality, cost, energy, time). Avoid synthetic benchmarks without commercial correlation.
4) Invest in talent and partnerships.
Agreements with universities and bootcamps; scholarships and rotations; training in Python/Qiskit, circuit theory, and optimization. Participate in IBM Quantum Network and regional forums.
5) Orchestrate data, compliance, and security.
Define data governance and controls so that quantum POCs access real data without risking privacy and regulation (especially in finance/health). Prepare reproducible pipelines.
6) Measure and communicate value.
KPIs for readiness (talent, ecosystem, POCs), technical learnings (algorithms, scalability), and impact (euros/dollars saved or potential revenue). IBV forecasts a >300% increase in ROI impact over 10 years for those investing today.
Risks and realistic expectations
- Short-term ROI: quantum does not replace current systems within 12–24 months; it’s better treated as a high-value options portfolio.
- Evolving hardware: physical qubits remain noisy; progress lies in scaling, error mitigation, and better compilers. Utility emerges in concrete tasks, not in “general problems”.
- Lack of a “killer app”: the path is marked by vertical use cases with real data and constraints; avoid chasing “absolute advantages” without domain expertise.
Implications for Globant and LATAM
- POC accelerator: access to hardware, Qiskit, and mentors helps reduce trial-and-error and build measurable POCs.
- Talent factory: their AI Pods and sector practices can absorb quantum training and offer “hybrid teams” to clients.
- Ecosystem: their regional presence can bring together banks, energy, telcos, and healthcare in shared projects, elevating the learning curve.
Quantum readiness checklist (90 days)
- Executive sponsor and team appointed (responsible, plan, KPIs).
- Top 3 potential use cases identified and prioritized by impact.
- Access to IBM Quantum / simulators and Qiskit environment ready (Git, CI/CD, version control).
- Partnership with university/lab for talent pipeline and academic validation.
- POC #1 defined (dataset, metric, classical baseline, budget, timelines).
- Initial readiness report (internal QRI) to inform roadmap and 2026 budget.
FAQs
What does “first quantum advantage” mean and when will it arrive?
It’s the point when a quantum system performs a calculation with greater precision, at lower cost, or more efficiently than a reasonable classical one. IBM expects clear signs of this advantage before the end of 2026; it will appear by domain (not all at once).
How much should I invest now?
It’s not about large capital expenditures on hardware, but exploration budgets: access to IBM Quantum, training in Qiskit, well-measured POCs, and talent. In 2023, organizations allocated 7% of their R&D to quantum and plan to increase about 25% more by 2025.
What profiles are needed inside the company?
A mix of data/science/optimization experts, software engineers (Python/Qiskit), cloud architects for hybrid orchestration, and a business owner to set metrics. Complement with partners (IBM/Globant) and academia.
How do I avoid “POCs that go nowhere”?
Define a classical baseline, an utility metric, real data, and exit criteria. Prioritize combinatorial problems with restrictions suited for variational algorithms or quantum optimization. Document lessons learned even if the POC doesn’t succeed.
Sources
- Globant: “Globant joins IBM Quantum Network” (announcement and regional figures on strategic alignment and adoption horizon).
- IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV): “Making quantum readiness real” (Quantum Readiness Index, market size, investment, and value distribution).
Lesson for the region: quantum value isn’t “bought” when it arrives; it’s earned by training today. Globant’s decision is an invitation for Latin American CIOs to move from interest to practice.