- OpenAI offers all Maltese citizens free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year
- The move is part of its OpenAI initiative for countries.
- Citizens will need to complete a course developed by the University of Malta.
OpenAI has revealed a new government partnership that will allow it to give all Maltese residents free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year.
The Mediterranean island nation’s approximately 575,000 citizens will be able to access the artificial intelligence tool in what OpenAI calls a “world-first partnership.”
“At OpenAI, we are turning intelligence into a global utility. We believe that, like electricity, intelligence should be available for people, businesses and institutions to use as much as they need it, where and when they need it,” the company wrote in a blog post announcing the plans, “that vision only matters if people can actually use these tools in ways that improve their own lives and communities.”
Malta in the lead
The idea is part of Malta’s AI for All initiative, which seeks to provide more guidance on how its citizens can use technology responsibly.
Anyone wishing to gain access will need to complete a course developed by the University of Malta to “help people understand what AI is, what it can and cannot do and how to use it responsibly at home and at work.”
The first phase of the program will launch in May 2026, with plans to scale further in the future, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority managing distribution to eligible participants.
“With this partnership, Malta leads Europe and the world in bringing AI to all its citizens,” said George Osborne, Country Director of OpenAI. “Intelligence is becoming a national utility and all governments have an important role to play in ensuring their populations have both the access and skills to make the most of AI.”
“Malta is the first country to launch a partnership of this scale because we refuse to allow our citizens to be left behind in the digital age,” Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Minister of Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, said in a statement. “We are putting our people at the forefront of global change.”
The partnership is part of the company’s OpenAI country plan, which seeks to work with governments and other institutions on the evaluation and adoption of AI platforms.
OpenAI has already started working with the governments of Estonia and Greece, although only on national education systems, making its partnership with Malta the largest and most developed to date.
ChatGPT Plus, which promises “more access to advanced intelligence,” is the first paid tier of the company’s AI platform, offering more advanced models and tools, including GPT-5, greater capacity, and faster image creation.
It’s currently available for $20/£20 a month, along with separate plans for individuals and businesses.
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