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 over a period of three years.
The study involved approximately 3,000 participants aged between 21 and 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom had annual incomes of less than $30,000. One-third of these participants received $1,000 per month, while the remaining participants, serving as the control group, received $50 monthly.
The findings indicated that those receiving the larger payments had greater flexibility in their job searches, enabling them to pursue positions that aligned more closely with their personal goals and values. The authors of the study highlighted, “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.”
In discussions about their experiences, one participant expressed, “Thanks to the cash transfer and being able to build up my savings, I can finally be picky.” They added, “I don’t have to accept a low-quality job just to make ends meet. I can afford to wait for the right opportunity.”
Another recipient shared that the cash support allowed them to accept a lower-paying entry-level position in a field they were passionate about, which eventually led to a six-figure salary after two years. “Without the cash transfers, I wouldn’t have been able to take that pay cut,” they stated.
The study did not reveal significant disparities in employment levels between the larger payment recipients and the control group. Most recipients allocated their additional funds to cover basic needs, with a focus on food, housing, and transportation. The payments also supported various health-related expenses, such as braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the payments initially reduced stress levels, the long-term health benefits diminished after two years.
Altman has been an advocate for universal basic income, particularly as artificial intelligence transforms the labor market and displaces certain jobs.