Thousands of travelers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport are now encountering quantum computing technology firsthand, thanks to a new exhibition in United Airlines’ Terminal 1. The yearlong display, titled “Imagining the Future: An Encounter with Quantum Technologies,” features a model IBM Quantum System One quantum computer and an educational website created by University of Chicago students.
The exhibit, unveiled on September 25, was developed by the Scientists, Technologists, and Artists Generating Exploration (STAGE) Center in collaboration with IBM. The project is supported by an Innovation Fund grant from the American Physical Society to honor UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. United Airlines donated space for the installation.
“Imagine a future in which it’s possible to detect disease in a single cell, before it spreads, and to use a computer to determine the precise drug to treat that disease,” said Nancy Kawalek, professor at UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) and founder and director of STAGE. “Imagine a future in which your personal information is secure, and your financial information can't be hacked—a future in which science has advanced to the point where these things, and more, will be possible.”
Hanhee Paik, IBM’s director of Quantum Algorithms Centers and Quantum-Centric Supercomputing Partnerships commented: “Quantum computers work in a fundamentally different way than today’s classical machines, opening the door to breakthroughs in areas like drug discovery, energy and optimization. At IBM, we are at the forefront of advancing this technology and its ecosystem, and we’re excited to share a piece of that journey here in Chicago as we enter the era of quantum advantage and push toward fault-tolerant quantum computers.”
According to analysis by Boston Consulting Group for the Chicago Quantum Exchange, quantum technologies could create up to 191,000 jobs and contribute as much as $80 billion in economic impact for Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region by 2035.
Omar Idris, United's vice president of O'Hare International Airport stated: “As Chicago’s hometown airline, United is proud to host this new captivating exhibit that shines a spotlight on our city’s role as a global hub for quantum computing. Bringing this display to O'Hare gives United travelers a unique glimpse into the groundbreaking innovation that's putting Illinois at the forefront of the future.”
O’Hare processed 80 million passengers during 2024 alone; Terminal 1 remains its busiest terminal with over 500 daily departures operated by United Airlines.
The STAGE Center operates within UChicago PME as an interdisciplinary laboratory developing projects inspired by science—including film productions, theater performances, games and public exhibits. Recent UChicago graduate Avery Linder contributed to designing an accompanying website aimed at making complex concepts accessible.
“The most exciting part of the project for me was figuring out how to explain quantum in a very accessible non-scary way,” Linder said. “That’s important not just for the quantum community but for everyone who could potentially be interested in science and not know that it’s within their grasp.”
Team member Charlotte Quintanar added: “We spent a lot of time thinking about analogies or examples that people would relate to steering away from scientific jargon the general public might not be familiar with.”
The exhibit will remain on display through next year near Concourse B’s Field Museum dinosaur installation; meanwhile STAGE Center's website offers continued access for those unable to visit O’Hare.