Malta gives citizens free AI access

Malta on May 16 launched a national programme that gives eligible citizens and residents a free AI literacy course and, after completion, a year of premium access to either ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Personal with Copilot. The Maltese government announced the initiative in a press release, calling it the first programme of its kind at national scale. OpenAI said the partnership would begin rolling out in May, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority handling distribution to eligible users. Times of Malta reported that the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. ### Who gets the free access, and what do they have to do first? Malta’s government said the programme is open to citizens and residents in Malta and Gozo aged 14 and over. The course is free, self-paced and delivered online, according to the government’s May 16 statement. The AI4All site says users register with an e-ID and complete modules before receiving the premium subscription and a certificate. (gov.mt) The Malta Digital Innovation Authority says the programme is also open to Maltese citizens and residents with an active eID account, and the course requires no previous technical knowledge. OpenAI said Maltese citizens abroad will also be included as the programme scales. ### What exactly do participants receive? The Maltese government said people who complete the course will receive a free one-year subscription to either ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot. (gov.mt) The government statement described the course as approximately two hours long. Times of Malta reported that ChatGPT Plus retails at about 23 euros a month, while Microsoft’s Copilot pricing varies by plan. (mdia.gov.mt) The AI4All platform says participants also receive an AI literacy certificate after finishing the three core modules. The site lists three foundational modules covering AI fundamentals and critical use, everyday applications, and learning and creativity, with additional tracks for professionals, job seekers, entrepreneurs, accessibility and education planned or available. ### Which institutions are running the programme? (gov.mt) The University of Malta and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority developed the course, according to the government and the AI4All site. The government said OpenAI and Microsoft joined as international partners to provide the premium tools tied to course completion. OpenAI identified George Osborne, its Head of OpenAI for Countries, as a participant in the announcement. (ai4all.gov.mt) The Maltese government named Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and Foreign Minister Ian Borg in connection with the launch, and Times of Malta said Borg had led contacts in Silicon Valley that helped connect OpenAI with Malta’s digital authority. ### Was this a sudden announcement or part of an earlier plan? (gov.mt) Malta’s 2026 budget, presented on October 27, 2025, had already previewed free AI subscriptions for people who completed a government-backed AI course. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said at the time that the government would provide free AI courses, certification and a subscription to an AI service for those who finished the programme. (openai.com) The May 16 launch fills in the missing details from that budget pledge. The government has now named the programme, published the course platform, and confirmed the two premium products attached to completion. ### What does Malta say the programme is for? Silvio Schembri said in the government statement that the aim was to make sure every citizen, regardless of background, could build the confidence and skills needed for a digital world. (timesofmalta.com) Ian Borg said at the launch that the government did not want anyone “to be left behind” and wanted everyone to benefit from technology. Those are the government’s stated goals for the programme. (gov.mt) The AI4All and MDIA pages frame the course around practical and safe use, including spotting unreliable outputs, protecting privacy and learning when not to use AI. The government also linked the launch to Malta Vision 2050 and to a previously announced 100 million euro investment in digitalisation and technologies including AI. ### What happens next, and where can people sign up? (openai.com) OpenAI said the first phase launches in May 2026, with distribution managed by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. The government’s AI4All portal is already live and says users can register securely with an e-ID, complete the modules at their own pace and then claim the one-year premium subscription and certificate. (openai.com) (mdia.gov.mt)