Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income research project in the United States to date through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This initiative collaborated with researchers to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a span of three years.
The study involved 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois who had an income of less than $30,000 annually. One-third of these participants received monthly payments of $1,000, while the remaining individuals, forming the control group, were given $50 each month.
Findings from the study indicated that those who received the larger payments enjoyed greater freedom in pursuing jobs that aligned with their aspirations. 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.” They observed that recipients were more likely to look for jobs but were also more selective in their choices.
One participant shared their experience in an interview, stating, “Because of the [cash transfer] and being able to build up my savings, I’m in a position for once to be picky.” They expressed gratitude for not having to settle for undesirable jobs due to immediate financial needs, allowing them the chance to seek positions that were a better fit.
Another recipient mentioned that the cash transfers 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. They remarked, “If I didn’t have the cash transfers there is no way I could have taken that pay cut.”
The research found no significant difference in overall employment rates between the recipients and the control group. Those who received the larger payments primarily increased their spending on essential needs, with food, housing, and transportation as the largest expenses. The funds helped cover health-related expenses, such as braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the associated health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman has been an advocate for the concept of universal basic income, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to transform the labor market and displace certain jobs.
An earlier version of this report incorrectly identified the organization conducting the study; it was indeed Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.