Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has funded the largest basic income study in the United States to date through his nonprofit, OpenResearch. This research initiative aimed 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 between 21 and 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 group was given just $50.
Findings from the study revealed that those receiving the larger monthly payments had greater flexibility in pursuing jobs that aligned with their aspirations. The 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.”
In personal accounts, one participant shared how the cash transfers allowed them to build savings and become choosy in their job search, stating, “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 support enabled them to accept a lower-paying entry-level role in their desired field, which eventually led to a six-figure salary within two years, a feat they said would have been impossible without the cash assistance.
The study noted no significant differences in employment rates between the payment recipients and the control group, with recipients primarily using the funds for essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation. Additionally, the payments assisted recipients with health-related expenses like braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the initial financial support alleviated stress, many health-related benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has advocated for universal basic income as a means to navigate the changes brought on by artificial intelligence in the workforce, which may lead to job displacement for some individuals.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the group that conducted the study. It was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.