Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has funded the largest basic income research project in the U.S. to date through his nonprofit, OpenResearch. This initiative involves providing unconditional cash payments for three years to individuals living below the poverty line.
Approximately 3,000 participants between the ages of 21 and 40 from Texas and Illinois, who earned less than $30,000 annually, were enrolled in the study. One-third received $1,000 per month, while the rest, in the control group, received $50.
The findings indicated that those receiving the higher payments had greater freedom to pursue jobs that better matched their preferences. According to the study’s authors, “Cash can increase people’s agency to make employment decisions that align with their individual circumstances, goals, and values.” Recipients were more engaged in job searching but tended to be more selective in their choices.
One participant remarked that, thanks to the cash transfers, they could finally be choosy in their employment decisions. They expressed that the financial support allowed them to avoid accepting undesirable jobs out of sheer necessity. Another recipient shared that they were able to accept a lower-paying entry-level position in their desired field and, within two years, achieved a six-figure salary. They noted that without the cash transfers, they wouldn’t have been able to afford taking that pay cut.
The study did not reveal significant differences in employment rates between the recipients and the control group. However, the participants who received higher amounts exhibited increased spending on essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation. The payments also assisted recipients with healthcare expenses, including braces and alcohol treatment. While the initial cash influx alleviated stress, the health benefits appeared to diminish after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income, particularly in light of artificial intelligence’s impact on the job market and the potential elimination of certain jobs.
A clarification was made that the research was conducted by Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, rather than OpenAI.