Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the most extensive basic income study in the United States to date through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. The initiative provided unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a duration of three years.
The study included approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all earning less than $30,000 annually. One-third of the participants received $1,000 per month, while the remaining individuals, serving as the control group, were given $50.
The findings revealed that those receiving the larger payments experienced greater flexibility in seeking jobs that aligned with their preferences. The authors of the study 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 assistance allowed them to build savings, enabling them to be more discerning in their job search. They stated, “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 mentioned that the financial support allowed them to accept a lower-paid entry-level position in their desired field, which ultimately led to a six-figure salary within two years. “If I didn’t have the cash transfers, there is no way I could have taken that pay cut,” they remarked during an interview.
The study indicated no significant difference in employment levels between those who received the larger payments and the control group. Recipients primarily increased spending on basic necessities, with food, housing, and transportation being the main categories. The payments also facilitated access to health needs such as braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the financial assistance initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has been a strong advocate for universal basic income, especially as artificial intelligence reshapes the job market and leads to job displacement.