Applications of quantum computing to optimization

The paper presents the basic aspects of the logic behind Quantum Computing and shows its fields of application and the state of the industry, focusing on the special case of the work at Universidad de Montevideo and the startup Quantum-South, born within it: optimization applications for air cargo transport and investment portfolio optimization applications. The paper content has been presented in a plenary session at IEEE CHILECON 2021. It has been intended to motivate professionals and students to work on Quantum Computing in the field of optimization.