Quantum Horizons: Examining the Scope of Quantum Computing in Latin American Universities

This paper systematically investigates the educational contributions of Latin American institutions in the field of quantum computing. Utilizing the Scopus database, we refined a dataset of 1,245 articles to ensure accurate affiliation with Latin American entities from 2021 to the present. Our study reveals that 1,099 of these papers are affiliated with universities ranked in the QS Latin America & Caribbean rankings, highlighting significant engagement in quantum education and research. We emphasize the role of universities in the early adoption and dissemination of quantum technologies, focusing on how they train new generations of scientists and engineers. Additionally, we explore contributions from non-ranked institutions, including 46 publicly funded research centers and corporate entities. By mapping who is publishing in this area and identifying regions with a higher geographic concentration of production, we aim to uncover the “installed capacities” in terms of researchers and educational initiatives. The analysis includes economic indicators such as GDP and R&D expenditure, offering insights into how educational and research efforts align with national capacities. This synthesis is visually represented through a comprehensive map, illustrating the geographic and institutional distribution of quantum computing education and research across Latin America. Keywords- Quantum computing, Latin America, education, research contributions, Scopus database, QS rankings.