Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This study provided unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a three-year period.
The study involved around 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 each month, while the remaining participants received only $50 as a control group.
Results revealed that those receiving the larger payments experienced greater freedom in pursuing jobs that matched 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 how the cash transfer allowed them to save money for the first time, enabling them to be choosy about job offers. 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 cash assistance allowed them to accept a lower-paying entry-level position in their desired field, which eventually 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 noted.
Although the study did not show significant differences in employment rates between those who received higher payments and the control group, recipients did increase their spending on basic necessities. Major expenses included food, housing, and transportation. The payments also helped cover health needs such as braces and alcohol treatment. While the initial financial relief reduced stress levels, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has been an advocate for universal basic income, particularly as advancements in artificial intelligence continue to impact the job market and displace certain positions.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly identified the organization that conducted the study. It was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.