Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income research study in the United States. Through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch, he collaborated with researchers to provide individuals living below the poverty line with unconditional cash payments over a period of three years.
The study involved approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all earning less than $30,000 annually. A third of these individuals received $1,000 per month, while the control group was given $50.
Results indicated that those receiving the larger payments had greater flexibility in seeking employment that better matched their interests. The authors of the study noted that cash assistance enhances individuals’ ability to make employment choices that correspond to their personal situations and aspirations, with recipients more actively searching for jobs while being more selective in their choices.
A participant shared that the cash transfer allowed them to save, enabling them to be more discerning in their job search. They expressed that they could avoid taking undesirable positions due to immediate financial pressures. Another recipient mentioned that the financial support enabled them to accept a lower-paid entry-level job in their desired field, ultimately leading to a six-figure salary within two years, something they believed would have been impossible without the cash transfers.
The study did not show significant differences in employment rates between those receiving larger payments and the control group. Recipients primarily used the money for essential expenses, including food, housing, and transportation. The funds also assisted with health-related costs such as dental braces and treatment for alcoholism. While the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the associated health benefits diminished after two years.
Altman has been a strong advocate for universal basic income, especially as advancements in artificial intelligence continue to reshape the workforce and displace certain jobs.
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly identified the organization conducting the study as OpenAI; it was actually Sam Altman’s nonprofit, OpenResearch.