Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States to date through his nonprofit organization, OpenResearch. The initiative aimed to provide unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a span of three years.
The study involved around 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all earning below $30,000 annually. One-third of these individuals received $1,000 each month, while those in the control group received just $50.
Results from the study indicated that those receiving the larger payments had increased freedom to pursue jobs that aligned with their preferences and aspirations. The study’s authors noted, “Cash can increase people’s agency to make employment decisions that align with their individual circumstances, goals, and values. Recipients were more likely to seek employment but with greater selectivity.”
One participant shared their experience, stating that the cash transfers allowed them to save money, enabling them to choose jobs more carefully. They expressed relief at not being forced to accept unsatisfactory employment due to financial pressures. Another recipient noted that the support allowed them to accept a lower-paying job in their desired field, which ultimately led them to a six-figure salary within two years. “If I didn’t have the cash transfers, there is no way I could have taken that pay cut,” they explained.
The study revealed that there was no significant difference in overall employment rates between those who received the larger payments and those in the control group. The additional funds primarily facilitated increased spending on essential needs such as food, housing, and transportation. Additionally, the payments supported recipients with health expenses, including braces and addiction treatment. While the immediate stress relief from the payments was noted, many of the health benefits diminished over time.
Sam Altman has advocated for the concept of universal basic income, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence’s impact on the job market and employment opportunities.
An earlier version of this report inaccurately identified the organization conducting the study; it was Sam Altman’s nonprofit, OpenResearch, not OpenAI.