Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States. His nonprofit organization, OpenResearch, collaborated with researchers to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a three-year period.
The study involved approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom had annual incomes of less than $30,000. One-third of these individuals received $1,000 per month, while the remaining participants, serving as a control group, received just $50.
According to the findings, those receiving the larger payments experienced greater freedom to pursue jobs that aligned with their personal preferences. The authors of the study noted that “cash can increase people’s agency to make employment decisions that align with their individual circumstances, goals, and values,” highlighting that recipients were not only more likely to search for employment but also more discerning in their choices.
In reflections shared during interviews, one participant expressed, “Because of the [cash transfer] and being able to build up my savings, I’m in a position for once to be picky,” adding that they no longer had to accept unfavorable job offers due to immediate financial necessity. Another recipient recounted how they were able to accept a lower-paying entry-level job in their desired field, which ultimately led to a six-figure salary within two years, stating, “If I didn’t have the cash transfers there is no way I could have taken that pay cut.”
The study indicated no significant differences in employment rates between those receiving the larger payments and the control group. Recipients primarily enhanced their spending on fundamental needs, with the majority of expenditures on food, housing, and transportation. Additionally, payments assisted recipients in covering health-related expenses like treatment for alcoholism and dental braces. While the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits appeared to diminish after a two-year period.
Sam Altman has expressed support for universal basic income, especially in the context of how artificial intelligence is transforming the labor market and potentially displacing jobs.
Correction: An earlier version of this article inaccurately identified the organization that conducted the study. It was Sam Altman’s nonprofit OpenResearch, rather than OpenAI.