Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States to date. His nonprofit, OpenResearch, partnered with researchers to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a duration of three years.
The study involved 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 control group received only $50.
The findings revealed that those receiving the larger payments had greater flexibility in seeking jobs that better aligned 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.”
One participant shared their experience, stating, “Because of the [cash transfer] and being able to build up my savings, I’m in a position for once to be picky,” and added, “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 to find the right fit.”
Another recipient noted that the cash allowed them to accept a lower-paying entry-level job in a desired field, which ultimately led them to achieve 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, however, showed no significant difference in employment levels between those receiving the larger payments and the control group. Recipients primarily used the funds to cover basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation. The payments also helped address health-related expenses, including braces and alcoholism treatment. While the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income as a means to adapt to the changes in the labor market brought about by advancements in AI technology.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the organization involved in the study; it was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.