Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has made headlines by funding the largest basic income study in the United States to date. This initiative, conducted through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch, aimed to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line over a three-year period.
The study included 3,000 participants aged between 21 and 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom earned less than $30,000 annually. Of these participants, one-third received $1,000 each month, while the remaining group received only $50 for comparison.
Results from the study revealed that those receiving the larger payments enjoyed greater freedom in their job search, allowing them to be more selective about employment opportunities. The authors of the study noted that the cash payments enhanced participants’ ability to make employment choices that resonated with their personal values and aspirations.
One participant highlighted the benefits of the program, stating that the cash transfers allowed them to build savings and take their time in searching for a job that was the right fit, rather than settling for any position out of immediate financial need. Another recipient, who accepted a lower-paying job in a desired field, later advanced to a six-figure salary, attributing their ability to transition without financial strain to the cash transfers.
While the study found no significant differences in overall employment levels between the two groups, recipients tended to allocate their funds toward essential living expenses, including food, housing, and transportation, as well as health-related needs, such as dental braces and addiction treatment. Although the payments initially alleviated stress for recipients, some of these health benefits diminished over time.
Altman’s support for universal basic income comes amid ongoing discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market, as it evolves and displaces certain jobs.
In a world increasingly influenced by automation, this study represents a hopeful step toward exploring how financial support can empower individuals to navigate employment challenges and create fulfilling, sustainable careers. It demonstrates that with the right policies and initiatives, individuals can have more control over their job choices, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.