A groundbreaking study conducted by OpenResearch highlights the benefits of universal basic income, especially in a future where artificial intelligence is likely to replace many jobs. The project, funded by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, has given away $45 million to thousands of people in America to test the concept of providing free money regularly and unconditionally. The study aims to understand how people’s lives change when given a small, unconditional allowance, and initial findings suggest that recipients tend to spend the money on basic needs, medical care, and helping others.
The study, published in two papers by the National Bureau of Economic Research, is part of a larger movement to explore the benefits of guaranteed income programs. Other countries like Kenya, the U.S., and Canada have also experimented with similar initiatives. However, OpenResearch’s trial is one of the largest conducted to date, with a focus on various aspects of participants’ lives, including children, mobility, crime, and politics. By collecting data through surveys, interviews, time diaries, as well as health biomarkers, the research team aims to provide valuable insights into the effects of universal basic income.
While some experts, like basic income historian Karl Widerquist, advocate for implementing basic income at a federal level based on existing data, others, including technologist Jaron Lanier, express skepticism. Lanier highlights concerns about centralizing wealth distribution through basic income programs and suggests alternative approaches to creating a more equitable society. Despite the differing opinions, the study by OpenResearch adds valuable data to the ongoing dialogue about the benefits of universal basic income and its potential implications for society.
Sam Altman, a strong proponent of universal basic income as a poverty solution, has long advocated for studying its effects to gather more data on its feasibility. With the rise of automation and the potential job displacements caused by AI, basic income has gained traction as a necessary policy intervention. However, there are still debates within the tech community about the implications of universal basic income and its relevance in addressing societal challenges. Altman’s willingness to fund innovative research projects, including those related to basic income, reflects his commitment to exploring solutions to complex societal issues.
OpenResearch’s initiatives, supported by funding from various sources including Altman’s contributions, have enabled the lab to conduct groundbreaking studies on universal basic income and other social welfare programs. The lab’s latest trial involving 3,000 participants in Texas and Illinois sheds light on the potential benefits of cash assistance programs in improving people’s lives and providing economic stability. As technology companies like Google also engage in similar initiatives, the conversation around universal basic income and its potential role in addressing economic inequality continues to evolve.
As OpenResearch continues its work on cash assistance and explores new avenues for research, the lab remains committed to addressing societal challenges and promoting economic equality. With ongoing collaborations with tech companies and government agencies, OpenResearch aims to leverage AI and data-driven approaches to create innovative solutions for issues like medical inequality. Altman’s evolving views on basic income, including his proposal for financial dividends from language models, highlight the need for ongoing research and experimentation in the field of social welfare and economic policy.
