Malta offers nationwide ChatGPT Plus

OpenAI and the government of Malta said on May 16 that they had launched what both described as a first-of-its-kind national program linking AI training to free premium chatbot access. The arrangement gives eligible Maltese citizens and residents a one-year ChatGPT Plus subscription after they complete a government-backed AI literacy course. Malta’s own press release added a second option: participants who finish the course can choose either ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot. OpenAI and Maltese officials said the first phase begins in May, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, or MDIA, managing distribution. ### Is this really free ChatGPT Plus for the whole country? OpenAI said the partnership would “roll out ChatGPT Plus to all Maltese citizens,” but the company’s own announcement tied that access to completion of an AI literacy course and said the program would scale as more residents and citizens abroad finish it. Malta’s government described the target group more broadly as citizens and residents in Malta and Gozo aged 14 and over. (openai.com) MDIA’s “AI for All” page says the course is open to Maltese citizens and residents who have an active eID account. That means the access is nationwide in scope, but it is not an automatic blanket activation for everyone on day one. ### What exactly do people have to do to get it? Malta’s May 16 press release said the course takes about two hours and is self-paced online. (openai.com) The government said participants who complete the foundational modules receive a free one-year subscription to either ChatGPT Plus or Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot. (mdia.gov.mt) MDIA said the core curriculum includes three mandatory modules: AI fundamentals and critical use, AI for everyday life, and AI for learning. The agency said participants can then add optional tracks for professionals, job seekers, entrepreneurship, accessibility and independent living, and formal education. ### Who built the course and who is running the rollout? (gov.mt) The University of Malta developed the course, according to OpenAI’s announcement. Malta’s government said the program was developed by MDIA in partnership with the university and made available online at no cost. The first phase launches in May, OpenAI said, with MDIA handling distribution to eligible participants. (mdia.gov.mt) Reuters reported on May 16 that the company did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. ### Where did the “nationwide rollout” claim on social media come from? A May 17 social-media post highlighted images of the offer and described it as availability across Malta, but the underlying announcement had already been published a day earlier by OpenAI and Malta’s government. (openai.com) Those official statements are the basis for the claim that Malta is offering the program on a national basis. OpenAI called it a “world’s first partnership,” and Maltese Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said in the company statement that the course-and-access model was intended to help families, students and workers use the tools in daily life. Reuters separately reported that Malta was the first country to launch such a program. ### Is it only for people living in Malta? (openai.com) Reuters reported that the program will also be open to Maltese citizens living abroad. OpenAI said the initiative would expand as more Maltese residents and citizens abroad complete the course. Malta’s government said the domestic course is aimed at citizens and residents aged 14 and over in Malta and Gozo, while MDIA’s registration page says applicants need an active eID account. (openai.com) Those eligibility details will determine how broadly the offer can be used in practice. ### What happens next? May 2026 is the first rollout window named by both OpenAI and Malta. (money.usnews.com) MDIA’s course page says the course and accompanying subscription are being developed for launch through the national platform, and OpenAI said distribution will begin with eligible participants in the first phase. Silvio Schembri, MDIA, the University of Malta, OpenAI and Microsoft are the named participants in the next step as the course opens and subscriptions are issued to people who complete the required modules. (gov.mt) (openai.com)