Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income experiment to date in the United States through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This initiative aimed to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a duration 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 individuals received $1,000 each month, while the remaining participants, serving as the control group, received only $50 monthly.
Results indicated that those receiving the higher payments had greater flexibility in seeking employment that better matched their preferences. According to the study’s authors, “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, “Thanks to the cash transfer and the ability to save, I’m now in a position to be choosy,” explaining that they no longer needed to accept unsatisfactory jobs out of immediate necessity. They expressed the opportunity to wait for a position that was a better fit.
Another recipient reported that the financial assistance allowed them to accept a lower-paying role in their desired field, which eventually led to a six-figure salary within two years. “Without the cash transfers, I wouldn’t have been able to take that pay cut,” they stated.
The study found no significant difference in employment levels between those receiving larger payments and those in the control group, with recipients primarily increasing their spending on essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation. The payments also helped address health-related expenses, including braces and addiction treatment. Although the financial support reduced stress levels initially, many of the associated health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has advocated for universal basic income, particularly as advances in artificial intelligence transform the job market, potentially displacing some workers.
A correction has been issued regarding the initial reporting, clarifying that the study was conducted by Sam Altman’s nonprofit, OpenResearch, rather than OpenAI.