Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This initiative involved research aimed at providing unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a three-year period.
The study included approximately 3,000 participants, aged 21 to 40, from Texas and Illinois, all of whom had annual incomes below $30,000. One group of participants received $1,000 each month, while a control group received only $50.
Findings from the study indicated that those who received the larger payments had greater freedom to seek jobs aligned with their personal preferences. The researchers noted, “Cash can increase people’s agency to make employment decisions that align with their individual circumstances, goals, and values. Recipients were more likely to be searching for a job, but they were more selective.”
One participant shared that the cash transfer allowed them to save money, enabling them to be choosier in their job search. “I don’t have to take a crappy job just because I need income right now. I have the opportunity to hold out and try and find the right fit,” they remarked.
Another recipient mentioned that they could accept a lower-paying entry-level position in their desired field, which eventually led to a six-figure salary in two years. “If I didn’t have the cash transfers, there is no way I could have taken that pay cut,” they stated.
The study found no significant difference in employment rates between the two groups. Recipients focused on increasing their spending on essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation. The payments also assisted with health-related expenses, including braces and addiction treatment. While the initial cash support alleviated stress, many reported that the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income, especially as artificial intelligence transforms the job market and displaces certain positions.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed the organization conducting the study; it was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.