Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States to date. This initiative, conducted by his nonprofit organization OpenResearch, aimed to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a span of three years.
The study involved approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all earning less than $30,000 annually. One-third of these participants received $1,000 monthly, classified as the recipients, while the remainder received $50, serving as the control group.
Findings indicated that those receiving the larger payments enjoyed greater flexibility to pursue jobs aligning with their interests. The study’s authors 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.”
In interviews, participants shared their experiences. One individual expressed how the cash transfers enabled them to save, allowing them to be selective in their job search. They remarked, “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.” Another recipient reported taking a lower-paying entry-level position in a desired field, eventually achieving a six-figure salary within two years, stating, “If I didn’t have the cash transfers, there is no way I could have taken that pay cut.”
The study revealed no significant differences in employment rates between the recipients and the control group. Recipients primarily used their payments to cover basic needs, including food, housing, and transportation, while also addressing health concerns such as dental braces and alcohol treatment. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income as a solution to the economic disruptions caused by advancements in artificial intelligence that may displace jobs.
This article also includes a correction stating that the study was conducted by OpenResearch, not OpenAI, as previously misstated.