Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has funded the largest basic income study in the United States to date. His nonprofit organization, OpenResearch, collaborated with researchers 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 of whom earned less than $30,000 annually. One-third of the participants received $1,000 each month, while the remaining participants, who served as the control group, received only $50.
Results from the study indicated that those who received the larger payments had greater flexibility in pursuing jobs that aligned with their preferences. 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 were also more selective.”
One participant shared their experience, stating, “Because of the [cash transfer] and being able to build up my savings, I’m in a position to be picky. I don’t have to take a subpar job just because I need income right now. I have the opportunity to hold out and find the right fit.” Another recipient mentioned that the financial support allowed them to accept a lower-paying entry-level position in their desired field, leading to a six-figure salary within two years. They remarked, “If I didn’t have the cash transfers, there is no way I could have taken that pay cut.”
The study did not find significant differences in employment levels between those who received the larger payments and the control group. Recipients mainly increased their spending on essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation, while also addressing personal health needs, including braces and alcohol treatment. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits appeared to diminish after two years.
Sam Altman has been an advocate for universal basic income, especially in light of the changes in the job market caused by advancements in artificial intelligence.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the organization conducting the study. It was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.