Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has financed the largest basic income study in the United States to date through his nonprofit, OpenResearch. The initiative involved supplying unconditional cash payments to individuals living below the poverty line for a duration of three years.
The study included approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 to 40 from Texas and Illinois, all of whom earned less than $30,000 annually. A third of these individuals received $1,000 per month, while the control group was given only $50.
Findings indicated that those receiving the larger payments experienced greater flexibility in job searching, allowing them to pursue opportunities that aligned more closely with their interests and values. The authors noted that cash payments increased recipients’ ability to make employment choices that suit their circumstances and aspirations.
One participant shared their experience, stating that the cash transfer allowed them to build savings and be selective about job offers. They expressed gratitude for the ability to search for a position that was a good fit, rather than being forced to accept any job for immediate income.
Another recipient talked about using the financial support to accept a lower-paying entry-level job in a desired field, which ultimately led to a six-figure salary within two years. They remarked that without the cash transfers, taking such a pay cut would have been impossible.
Despite these positive outcomes, the study revealed no significant difference in employment rates between the recipients of the larger payments and the control group. The additional funds primarily allowed recipients to cover essential expenses such as food, housing, and transportation, as well as health-related costs like braces and treatment for alcoholism. Although the payments initially alleviated stress, many of the health benefits diminished after two years.
Sam Altman advocates for universal basic income amid the changing job landscape influenced by artificial intelligence, which is altering the nature of work and displacing certain jobs.