Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States, conducted by his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. This initiative aims to provide people living below the poverty line with unconditional cash payments over a three-year period.
The study included approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom earned less than $30,000 annually. One-third of the participants received $1,000 per month while the remaining individuals, who served as the control group, received $50.
The findings revealed that those receiving the larger cash payments had increased flexibility in job searching, allowing them to pursue opportunities that aligned better with their personal goals and values. 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 likely to be searching for a job, but they were more selective.”
One participant expressed that the cash transfers enabled them to save and be more discerning in their job choices, stating, “I don’t have to take a crappy job just because I need income right now.” Another recipient shared that they could accept a lower-paying entry-level job in their desired field, which eventually led to a six-figure salary within two years, attributing this success to the financial support received during the transition.
While the study did not find significant differences in employment levels between recipients and the control group, it did show that the funds were primarily used to cover essential living expenses, such as food, housing, and transportation. The payments also assisted some participants in addressing health issues, including dental needs and treatment for alcohol dependency. Although the initial cash support alleviated some stress, many of the health benefits were diminished after the two-year mark.
Altman has been an advocate for universal basic income, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence’s impact on the job market and workforce dynamics.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the organization conducting the study. It was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, not OpenAI.