Speakers

Quantum Latino 2026

Day 1: Quantum Research

Alejandra Valencia, PhD
Associate Professor – Universidad de Los Andes, Physics Department, Colombia

Since August 2012, Alejandra Valencia has been an assistant professor in the Physics Department at the University of the Andes, where she is part of the experimental quantum optics group. A. Valencia completed her undergraduate studies in physics at this university and subsequently, in 2002, received her Master of Science degree, and in 2005, her PhD in applied physics, both from the University of Maryland in the USA. From 2006, A. Valencia conducted postdoctoral research in Spain and Italy, focusing primarily on the design of entangled photon-pair sources. From 2010 to 2012, Alejandra actively participated in activities to bring photonics, the sciences of light, to diverse non-specialized audiences. Currently, her research interests include the generation, characterization, and use of various light sources at the quantum level.

Claudia Zendeja-Morales
University of Copenhagen, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Centre for the Mathematics of Quantum Theory (QMATH) – Copenhagen, Denmark

Claudia Zendejas-Morales es física e ingeniera en computación. Su trabajo y participación comunitaria han sido reconocidos internacionalmente al ser seleccionada en el Quantum 100 del International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), liderado por la UNESCO. Ha cursado dos MicroMasters en Tecnologías Cuánticas por Purdue University y es desarrolladora certificada de Qiskit y Qiskit Advocate. Participa activamente en QWorld, donde ha colaborado como instructora y asistente de docencia, desarrolló el módulo de QML para los QCourses, es co-coordinadora del área de QEducation y miembro de QWorld Association. Actualmente es estudiante de doctorado en Quantum Information Science en la Universidad de Copenhague. Sus intereses se centran en información cuántica teórica, machine learning cuántico, fundamentos matemáticos de la computación cuántica y juegos no locales cuánticos.

TALK:
Community organizations in quantum technologies

Quantum computing communities are often associated with outreach and education, but they can also become spaces for developing technical projects, gaining research experience, and building collaborations. This talk presents examples from communities like QWorld, QuantumQuipu, and the Qiskit Advocates network: from coordinating and adapting materials on algorithms and quantum machine learning to mentoring projects, creating tutorials, and studying strategies to mitigate exponential concentration in quantum kernels. Experiences in hackathons will also be discussed, where distributed teams transformed ideas into prototypes of games, hybrid models, and quantum software. Based on these cases, the discussion will explore how community work allows for delving deeper into specialized content, assuming technical and scientific responsibilities, and developing communication, leadership, and collaboration skills. These experiences can complement academic training and pave the way for postgraduate studies and research.

Sr. Ignacio Silva
Consultant in Digital Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies – World Bank, Chile

Ignacio Silva Santa Cruz is a Consultant in Digital Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies at the World Bank, where he advises on policy design and capacity-building for the adoption of frontier technologies. Previously, as Head of the Emerging Technologies Division at Chile’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, he led the formulation of the National Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025–2035. In that role he led a participatory, inter-institutional, and multisectoral process that brought together academia, research centers, industry, and the State, with technical support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). His work has focused on translating cutting-edge scientific knowledge into public policy, defining pillars of institutional governance, enabling factors — talent, infrastructure, and financing — and technological development and adoption, under principles of ethics, inclusion, sustainability, and technological sovereignty. He has promoted Chile’s integration into global quantum technology networks and the connection between science and key productive sectors such as health, energy, mining, logistics, and cybersecurity.

TALK:
National Quantum Technologies Strategy from a Public Policy Perspective

How does a country design public policy for a technology that is still maturing? This talk presents Chile’s National Quantum Technologies Strategy 2025–2035 and the process that made it possible: from the Advisory Commission convened in 2024 to the public consultation and publication in December 2025, with support from the IDB and within the framework of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. We will review the comparative exercise of twenty national strategies, the architecture of the Strategy — governance and institutional framework, enabling factors, and development and adoption — and its cross-cutting principles of ethics, inclusion, sustainability, and technological sovereignty. The presentation reflects on the challenges of formulating anticipatory public policy: balancing long-term vision with scientific uncertainty, coordinating the ecosystem, and ensuring that the benefits of the quantum revolution reach the people.

Dr. Cristian Barría Huidobro
Director, Cybersecurity Research Center – Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile

PhD in Computer Engineering, with postdoctoral studies in multicultural education and social media management. Master of Science in Computer Engineering and Master of Science in Educational Planning and Management. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Engineer, and Management Engineer. Director of the Cybersecurity Research Center at Universidad Mayor, Chile. Author of books and publications in computer science. In 2025, he received the Outstanding Professor Award from the IEOM – U.S. Society International for his academic contributions in the field of cybersecurity.

TALK:
Bits, Qubits, Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is one of the most promising technologies and, at the same time, one of the most surrounded by expectations and myths. This lecture, based on the book Bits, Qubits, Quantum Computing, offers a critical yet accessible look at its scientific foundations, the current state of its development, and the challenges it still faces. Key questions will be addressed, such as: How close are we to quantum supremacy? What impact will it have on security, artificial intelligence, and industry? And how much of what is being announced corresponds to real progress and how much to speculation? The goal is to provide a rigorous and balanced perspective that allows for an understanding of the true potential of this technology and its implications for science, engineering, and society.

Dr. Cristian E. Susa Quintero
Full Professor – Department of Physics and Electronics, University of Córdoba, Montería, Colombia.

Cristian Edwin Susa Quintero is a Physicist and holds a PhD in Physics (2016, University of Valle, Colombia), specializing in quantum correlations and open quantum systems. He currently teaches Physics at the University of Córdoba (Montería, Colombia), where he leads the Theoretical and Applied Physics Group and advises undergraduate and graduate students in physics, contributing to the academic and scientific development of the region and the country.

His research focuses on quantum information theory, with lines of work in quantum correlations, entanglement theory, and quantum optics. In recent years, he has expanded his research to include quantum control, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), and other machine learning schemes, exploring their application to problems in quantum physics.

He has published over 20 articles in specialized international journals and has participated in numerous international conferences, several of them as an invited speaker, sharing his research results with the global scientific community.

TALK:
Physically Informed Neural Networks Applied to the Optimal Control of Quantum Gates

In this talk, we present a framework based on physically informed neural networks (PINNs) that predicts control functions for implementing one- and two-qubit quantum gates. Our approach incorporates the Schrödinger equation and the Lindblad master equation directly into the training loss function, along with terms that guarantee gate fidelity through the target task and constraints on the density matrix, thus extending the method recently introduced by Norambuena et al. [1] for state-transfer control. For the single-qubit Hadamard gate, the trained network achieves an average fidelity of 99.99998% (tested on a sample of 1000 random initial states). Extending the scheme to the two-qubit CX controlled negation gate, we performed an analysis by coupling type (σx⊗σx, σy⊗σy, and σz⊗σz interactions), obtaining average infidelities (1 – fidelity) on the order of 10⁻⁶ for transverse and longitudinal couplings, and 10⁻⁴ for σy⊗σy, showing that the gate’s performance depends on the coupling structure between qubits.

We conclude by briefly describing other related lines of research that we are currently developing: hybrid classical-quantum PINNs to solve the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation, symbolic regression for the discovery of effective theories, and reinforcement learning for the optimization of molecular control.

Dr. Pío José Arias González
Postgraduate Coordinator – Facultad de Ciencias (UCV), Venezuela

Dr. Pío José Arias González earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (1988) and a PhD in Physics (1994) from Simón Bolívar University.

Since 1994, he has been a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Central University of Venezuela, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor and Graduate Studies Coordinator. His academic career includes more than 30 scientific publications and monographs, over 35 presentations at national and international conferences, and the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students. He also contributed to the creation of the HELEN (High Energy Physics Latin American–European Network) initiative.

Throughout his career, Dr. Arias has held several leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Physics, Director of the School of Physics, Research Coordinator of the Faculty of Science, and Graduate Studies Coordinator. He also served as President of the Venezuelan Physical Society (SVF) and as a member of the Board of AsoVAC.

Beyond academia, he is an accomplished violinist and a founding member of both the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. In recognition of his contributions to quantum science, he was selected for the Quantum 100 list during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to quantum research, innovation, and education worldwide.

Karen Tovar Parra
Engineer. Researcher. Global Speaker – University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

Quantum Computing Researcher at the University of Costa Rica and AI Engineering Lead at Datasite, with an engineering background and more than six years of experience working at the intersection of machine learning and quantum systems. Her research focuses on quantum error correction, variational algorithms, and quantum machine learning, with publications in journals and international conferences across more than 15 countries. She holds certifications from Qiskit and the Quantum World Association, as well as specialised training programmes in Europe and Argentina.

Karen is actively working to build a technically strong quantum community in Latin America—one that goes beyond the hype and directly addresses how these systems work and what they can realistically achieve today.

As a science communicator, she shares her work in Spanish and English through her platform @quantumkaren, translating complex quantum computing concepts into accessible yet technically rigorous content for audiences across Latin America and beyond.

Dra. Kelly Garcés Pernett
Profesora Asociada – Universidad de los Andes, Colombia

Kelly is associate professor of the Department of Systems and Computing Engineering at the Universidad de los Andes (Bogota, Colombia). Prior to this, she was an R&D engineer and software engineer at Netfective Technology . She received her Ph.D. in September 2010 from the Université de Nantes. In 2011, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the INRIA laboratory. She has participated in research and development projects (proprietary or open source) since 2005, financed with private and public funds. Her research interests are software architecture, evolution and maintenance of complex software systems (e.g. legacy applications, IoT systems, web transactional systems, microservice-based applications, quantum systems, etc.). Some of her lectures are: Software Architecture and Design, Software for Internet of Things (IoT), Software modernization, Software Modeling, Model Driven Engineering.

Mariano Caruso
Coordinator, Quantum Research & Development Unit – FIDESOL

Dr. Mariano Caruso holds a PhD in Mathematical Physics from the University of Granada (Spain) and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the National University of La Plata (Argentina).

He currently serves as Coordinator of the Quantum Research & Development Unit at the FIDESOL Technology Centre in Spain. He is also a lecturer in the Master’s Programme in Quantum Computing at UNIR (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja) and an Associate Researcher at the University of Granada.

His research and professional expertise span quantum physics, stochastic models, machine learning, and cryptography. Throughout his career, Dr. Caruso has combined rigorous academic research with the development of mathematical and algorithmic solutions for technological innovation in the private sector, bridging fundamental science and real-world applications.

TALK:
Q2SAR: Quantum Multiple Kernel Learning for Drug Discovery

The development and discovery of new drugs requires modelling complex structural relationships in high-dimensional feature spaces using Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) methods. This presentation introduces Q2SAR, a framework based on Quantum Multiple Kernel Learning (QMKL) and Quantum Support Vector Machines (QSVMs) for analysing and predicting the biological activity of molecules.

The talk will present the mathematical foundations of mapping molecular features to quantum states, the optimal combination of quantum kernels, and the ability of this approach to capture complex non-linear patterns compared with traditional classical methods. It will also discuss the experimental validation of the Q2SAR pipeline and explore opportunities for implementing these techniques on Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices, highlighting their potential applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

PhD(c) Liliana Gutierrez Rancruel
Docente y Miembro del Comité Profesional, Cátedra Matilda Mujeres en Ingeniería, Universidad Javeriana Cali – Cali, Colombia

PhD Candidate in Technology Management and Innovation, Master in Educational Computing and Systems and Telecommunications Engineer. Strategist in Technology Management, Quantum Computing, Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography, transition frameworks towards post-quantum cryptography (NIST), cybersecurity, computer networks and educational innovation. University teacher, researcher and instructor at the Cisco Networking Academy, with extensive experience in talent training, curricular design, academic accreditation, project formulation and development of innovation ecosystems.

International and national speaker, organizer of summits, conferences and high-impact academic spaces that integrate quantum computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity and education, promoting the articulation between academia, business, government and society. Author of scientific publications and the IPv6 book. A reality, with a track record in applied research and dissemination of knowledge.

Using a disruptive approach to transform the way we interact with technology through innovations such as his «Blazer Quantum», a Tech-Couture piece that fuses fashion with interactive codes to connect in real time with his audiences.

With experience and knowledge in Accreditation and Quality Assurance for Engineering Programs, as well as Formulation, Design, Implementation of Educational Plans and Information and Communication Technologies applied in the Educational Sector, Sixteen years as a University Professor and 3 years as Coordinator of the Computer Engineering Program of the Military Aviation School.

Its mission is to lead and promote interest, appropriation and capacity development in Quantum Computing, Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Cryptography in Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening national and international ecosystems of innovation, research and specialized training. She is an active member of the Matilda Women in Engineering Latin American and Caribbean Open Chair, where she promotes female leadership, international cooperation and technological transformation with social impact.

TALK:
Female Strategic Leadership in the Quantum Age
and PQC Migration

Female leadership in the transition to quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is a strategic and technical imperative. Beyond demographic parity, the inclusion of women in senior management, research and standardization provides quantifiable metrics of success in the resilience of infrastructure, the adoption of regulations and the evolution of pedagogical engineering. The transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has ceased to be a theoretical problem and has become a mandate for global compliance and technological sovereignty. Female leadership in this area is not limited to gender equality; represents a competitive advantage in governance, pedagogy and systemic risk management. The global transformation towards Quantum-Safe infrastructure depends on rigorous mathematical standards and early corporate adoption. Reports from Cybersecurity Ventures (2023) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) indicate that, although women represent approximately 25% of the cybersecurity workforce, their impact on the cryptographic research and standards definition layer is foundational. Research from McKinsey & Company (2023, The impact of women in tech) shows that engineering teams with female leadership reduce margins of error in codebase auditing and accelerate the implementation of crypto agility schemes due to more comprehensive approaches to risk management (V&V).

Juan Diego Acevedo Palacio

Professor, School of Engineering – Universidad EIA

Juan Diego Acevedo Palacio holds a Master’s degree in Physics from the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil. With more than nine years of experience in higher education, he has taught and conducted research in physics, with a particular focus on quantum mechanics and its technological applications. He is currently a professor and researcher in the field of quantum technologies.

TALK:
Quantum Memories: The Storage of Quantum Information

Andrés Sarrazola Alzate
Professor, School of Engineering – Universidad EIA

Andrés Sarrazola-Alzate is a mathematician and professor at the STEAM School of Universidad EIA, Colombia, where he leads the Research Group in Mathematics and its Applications (GIMA). He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Strasbourg and has carried out postdoctoral research at both the University of Padua and the University of Strasbourg.

His research is centered on algebra and its interactions with cryptography and algebraic information theory, with particular interest in the mathematical structures that govern information, security, and computation. His work draws on representation theory, algebraic and combinatorial structures, noncommutative algebra, arithmetic and geometric methods, and related areas of pure mathematics.

A central theme of his research is the use of algebraic structure to understand how information is represented, transformed, constrained, and measured. This perspective naturally connects classical algebraic questions with cryptographic systems, information-theoretic models, and emerging computational paradigms.

More recently, he has extended this program toward the mathematical study of artificial intelligence and large language models. In this direction, he investigates how Brauer configurations, quivers, algebraic invariants, entropy, and combinatorial geometry can be used to characterize tokenization, repetition-sensitive information patterns, and structural computational cost. These developments form part of a broader research agenda seeking bridges between pure algebra, cryptography, information theory, and next-generation computational systems.

TALK:
Brauer Entropy, Information, and Computational Cost in Large Language Model Tokenization

Day 2: Quantum Business

Dr. Andrés Barreneche García
Economist and Public Policy Analyst – Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), France

Andrés Barreneche García is an Economist and Policy Analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where he leads analysis, dialogue, and policy development activities in the field of emerging technologies. His work supports OECD member countries in identifying opportunities and challenges associated with technological innovation, contributing to the design of data-driven public policies aimed at promoting the responsible development of new technologies.

He currently directs international initiatives aimed at strengthening the governance of quantum technologies, analyzing the strategies and policies adopted by different countries, and improving the readiness of governments and businesses for the changes these technologies may bring to the economy and society. He also designs and coordinates consultation and collaboration processes among governments, businesses, academic institutions, and civil society, in order to promote informed dialogue and consensus-building around emerging technological challenges.

He is the author of reports and studies on innovation, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, and contributes to strategic debates that support public policy formulation. He holds a PhD in Management Sciences from Université Paris-Sud (France), a master’s degree in Economics from Ritsumeikan University (Japan), and a degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia).

TALK:
Preparing businesses for quantum computing

Quantum computing is rapidly advancing toward applications with potential impact across multiple economic sectors. Although many of its commercial applications are still in early stages of development, companies are already facing strategic decisions about how to prepare for this technology and anticipate its opportunities.

This presentation offers an overview of the main findings of the OECD report Building Business Readiness for Quantum Computing. Based on interviews with experts, companies, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders, the study analyzes the current state of quantum computing, the barriers hindering its adoption, and the capabilities companies can begin developing today. It also examines aspects related to talent, technological experimentation, strategic partnerships, and business planning under uncertainty.

The presentation will discuss recommendations for businesses and policymakers aimed at strengthening the readiness of the productive sector for one of the most promising technologies of the coming decades.

Daniel Ruiz
Co-Founder – Qnow Technologies Corp, Argentina

Daniel Ruiz is a professional passionate about innovation and exploring the frontiers of technology, with a special interest in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence. He currently serves as founder of Qnow and Senior Analyst at Accenture, where he drives the development of high-impact technological solutions aimed at digital transformation.

With more than ten years of experience in the technology industry, he has participated in the design and implementation of projects that combine research, development, and innovation, always with the goal of generating value through the application of emerging technologies. His work focuses on bringing the potential of AI and quantum computing to real challenges across different sectors, promoting the creation of scalable, future-oriented solutions.

Convinced of the transformative power of these technologies, he dedicates his career to driving initiatives that contribute to scientific and business advancement, fostering collaboration between research and industry to accelerate the adoption of the next generation of technological innovation.

TALK:
Bootstrapping Deep Tech: Building a Quantum Computing Company

The development of deep tech companies has traditionally been associated with high capital requirements, multidisciplinary teams, and long research and development cycles. However, recent advances in Artificial Intelligence, autonomous agents, and automation are changing this paradigm, enabling the creation of more efficient organizations from their earliest stages.

This talk presents a perspective based on the experience of building a startup focused on Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence under a bootstrap model. It will examine how the integration of AI agents into development, operations, and knowledge management processes can increase productivity and facilitate the growth of deep tech companies with limited resources. It will also discuss the opportunities and limitations of this approach, proposing a model in which organizational autonomy and the strategic use of emerging technologies constitute a competitive advantage for the development of science- and technology-based companies.

Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça
Staff Scientist, Quantum Technologies – CMC Microsystems

Dr. Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça is a Staff Scientist specialized in Quantum Technologies at CMC Microsystems. Her work comprises quantum algorithm development as well as quantum education. She holds a PhD in Physics, focusing on Condensed Matter Theory and Quantum Computation.

Bruna is a dedicated science communicator, with numerous Portuguese and English content in Quantum Science and Technologies, including two articles featured on the official Qiskit Medium, podcasts and popular science magazines.

She also developed and delivered courses on Quantum Computing to universities and organizations. Her contributions have been awarded by University of Sao Paulo, Quantum Innovation Summit and UnitaryHack.

TALK:
Forging your own quantum path

This talk is about how the road least traveled can be the most rewarding! With more than three years working in the quantum industry with both technical and non-technical duties, besides engaging with policy and ethical aspects of the field, my work does not exactly fit in a box.

I will discuss how my not-so-straight career in quantum technologies was shaped by paying attention to the industry dynamics and a lot of honest self-reflection. I hope my experiences can bring new perspectives anyone getting started or rethinking their career in quantum technologies.

Paulina Assmann
CEO & Co-Founder – Sequre Quantum

Paulina Assmann holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Concepción and the University of Leicester. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of SeQure Quantum, the first quantum technologies company in Latin America, where she leads the transformation of quantum science into market-ready cybersecurity solutions. Her work focuses on business development, technology transfer, and strategic growth at the intersection of science and industry.

With more than eight years of experience spanning academia, the public sector, and private industry, Paulina has led high-impact innovation initiatives at both the national and international levels. She was recognised by UNESCO as one of the Quantum 100, honouring global leaders driving advances in quantum science and technology.

TALK:
SeQure Quantum: From the Laboratory to the Global Market

Transferring quantum technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace requires far more than scientific breakthroughs—it demands transforming specialised knowledge into reliable, scalable solutions that address real-world needs. This talk will present the journey of SeQure Quantum, from its origins in academic research to its international expansion.

The presentation will explore the key challenges of building a deep-tech company, including validating a value proposition, transforming research prototypes into commercial products, establishing strategic partnerships, attracting talent and investment, and accessing global markets. Drawing on SeQure Quantum’s experience, the talk will reflect on the conditions necessary for translating scientific research into impactful innovation and highlight the opportunities that quantum technologies offer for developing the next generation of cybersecurity solutions.

Johany Armando Carreño Gamboa
Executive President – Sociedad Colombiana de Computación – SCo2

Johany Armando is a systems engineer with a Master’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies, dedicated to helping individuals and organisations reach their full potential. He leads transformation initiatives that combine human-centred technology, innovation, and strategic decision-making to create meaningful impact on people, careers, and businesses.

He is an enterprise architect, university lecturer, international speaker, workshop facilitator, ed-tech mentor, data analyst, digital coach, technology evangelist, and advocate for computational thinking. Johany currently serves as Executive President of the Colombian Computer Society, Director General of the Latin American Competitive Programming Network (RPC Latam), and Co-founder of the Ibero-American Seminar on Computational Thinking. His work focuses on advancing digital transformation, technology education, and innovation across Latin America.

TALK:
Panel on Colombia’s Quantum Technology Initiatives

Wendy Plata
CEO – SILVER QUALITY CONSULTING

Wendy Plata is a Computer Engineer with a Master’s degree in Productivity and Quality Management from ESPOL. With more than 20 years of experience, she has built a career integrating technology, statistics, project management, quality, education, and organisational innovation. She is the Founder and CEO of Silver Quality Consulting, where she leads projects in process transformation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, organisational well-being, and applied quantum computing.

She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute and has extensive expertise in strategic planning, quality management systems, performance indicators, information systems design, and statistical analysis. Throughout her career, she has worked as a university lecturer, researcher, and continuing education instructor, while also contributing to international training and professional assessment programmes across Latin America and Europe.

Wendy is the Ecuador representative of the Emotional Paycheck Institute of Canada, where she promotes Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Salary strategies to strengthen leadership, employee engagement, and organisational well-being.

Her work brings together quantum computing, artificial intelligence, innovation, and human-centred leadership to foster more productive, resilient, and sustainable organisations. She is also the founder of the Silver Quality Consulting Quantum Days, an international outreach initiative that connects experts and promotes quantum technologies within the Spanish-speaking community and the business sector.

TALK:
From Technological Innovation to Human-Centred Leadership: Quantum Computing, AI, and Emotional Salary for Organisational Transformation

Organisational transformation no longer depends solely on adopting new technologies; it requires integrating innovation and a human-centred approach within a single strategy. This talk explores how quantum computing and artificial intelligence are expanding our ability to analyse data, optimise processes, solve complex problems, and accelerate decision-making. Through practical examples and real-world applications, it examines their potential impact on businesses and the evolution of leadership.

At the same time, the presentation highlights why technological progress must be accompanied by the development of uniquely human capabilities, including emotional intelligence, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to create meaningful workplace experiences. In this context, the concept of Emotional Salary is presented as a strategic tool for strengthening employee engagement, well-being, and organisational sustainability.

The talk invites participants to reflect on a new model of leadership that combines advanced technologies, innovation, and human values to build purpose-driven organisations equipped for the future.

Ruben Pillaca
CEO – TechEra

Rubén Pillaca is the CEO of TechEra and QuaiBot. He also serves as Director of APCSIS, President of AproTIC, and President of ChimboTech.

A Systems Engineer by training, Rubén is an international technology speaker, author of several technology books, and an Enterprise Application Design Architect. He specialises in User Experience (UX/UI), quantum computing, and software development, with extensive experience as a Senior Technology Instructor and Senior Software Developer.

Throughout his career, he has promoted technological innovation, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, helping organisations adopt cutting-edge solutions and preparing professionals for the future of computing.

TALK:
The Impact of Quantum Computing on Innovative Businesses

Quantum computing represents a new technological frontier with the potential to transform medicine, finance, logistics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and industry. This presentation explores the fundamentals of quantum computing, its business applications, innovation opportunities, and the key challenges associated with its adoption.

The talk also examines the impact of Q-Day, the transition to post-quantum cryptography, and the evolution of a global ecosystem that will integrate classical computing, cloud technologies, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing to solve complex problems and create new, high-value business models.

Jean Bernier
Chief Product Officer & Founder – AnniQ

Jean Bernier is an entrepreneur, technology strategist, and Co-Founder of AnniQ, with more than 25 years of experience in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, as well as over 12 years exploring the impact and applications of quantum computing.

Throughout his career, he has worked with more than 200 companies, helping them transform technology, data, and innovation into tangible business capabilities. His approach combines strategy, customer experience, artificial intelligence, automation, and disruptive technologies to build more adaptable, efficient, and future-ready organisations.

He currently leads product development at AnniQ, where he researches and develops systems that connect customer knowledge, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to accelerate business growth and improve decision-making.

Jean approaches quantum computing from a practical perspective, focusing on how it can evolve from research into real-world business applications, the capabilities organisations should develop today, and how to prepare for a future where artificial intelligence, classical computing, and quantum technologies converge.

TALK:
Quantum Made in Colombia: We Don’t Have to Wait for the Quantum Future to Start Building It Today

Quantum computing is no longer just a long-term ambition. Today, companies, startups, universities, and innovation ecosystems can begin developing hybrid solutions that combine classical computing, artificial intelligence, and cloud-accessible quantum resources.

This talk explores why Colombia has a genuine opportunity to participate in this new technological wave without waiting to develop its own quantum hardware. It presents current use cases and practical applications where hybrid approaches can create value in optimisation, simulation, analytics, logistics, finance, energy, and other sectors relevant to the country.

The presentation also outlines a practical roadmap for SMEs, startups, large enterprises, and ecosystem stakeholders to identify suitable problems, experiment with quantum technologies, and begin building quantum capabilities today.

The central message is simple: Colombia does not have to limit itself to consuming the next technological revolution—it can start building it today.

Esteban Hernández
Quantum Lead- CyberColombia / Colombia Quantum Alliance, Bogotá, Colombia

Dr. Esteban Hernández is a Computer Engineer holding a Ph.D. in High-Performance Computing (HPC) alongside postgraduate specializations in Applied Mathematics and Network Software. Over a 23-year career spanning AWS, Mercado Libre, and deep-tech startups, his research and technical expertise have focused on Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and advanced Numerical Simulation. A dedicated scientific leader and educator, he served as the 2025 Executive Director of SCALAC, founded CyberColombia to advance regional computing frameworks, and has co-organized HPC Summer Schools for nine years to train the next generation of researchers in HPC, AI, and Quantum Computing. Currently, he directs the Colombian Quantum Alliance, spearheading a ten-year research roadmap for quantum software and hardware architectures. Furthermore, he is the co-author of “Parallel Heterogeneous Computing for Accelerating Weather Forecasting” and actively advises scientific organizations on optimizing Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models in high-performance environments.

TALK:
Introducing the Colombian Quantum Alliance

Day 3: Quantum For Everyone

Samuel Felipe Serna Otalvaro
Associate Professor, Bridgswater State University & MIT

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