Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income experiment in the United States to date. This initiative, executed by his nonprofit organization OpenResearch, involved providing unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a three-year period.
The study included around 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 per month, while the rest, forming the control group, received only $50.
The findings indicated that those receiving the more substantial cash payments had greater freedom to seek jobs that aligned with their personal desires and aspirations. The authors of the study noted that “cash can enhance people’s ability to make employment choices that reflect their circumstances, goals, and values,” revealing that recipients were more likely to be on the job hunt but were also more discerning in their choices.
In a personal account, one participant shared, “Thanks to the cash transfer and being able to save, I’m finally in a position to be selective.” They added, “I don’t feel pressured to accept a poor job just for immediate income. I can wait and look for the right opportunity.”
Another recipient recounted how they accepted a lower-paying entry-level role in a field they were passionate about and eventually reached a six-figure salary within two years. “Without the cash transfers, I could never have taken that pay cut,” they explained.
Despite the increased financial support, the study found no significant differences in employment rates between the cash recipients and the control group. However, recipients tended to direct their increased spending toward essential needs, including food, housing, and transportation, and were able to address healthcare concerns, such as braces and addiction treatment. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income, especially as artificial intelligence continues to disrupt the labor market and displace certain jobs.
Correction: An earlier version of this article inaccurately indicated that OpenAI conducted the study; it was, in fact, Sam Altman’s nonprofit, OpenResearch.