- OpenAI offers every Maltese citizen free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year
- The move is part of its OpenAI for Countries initiative
- Citizens will be required to complete a course developed by the University of Malta
OpenAI has revealed a new government partnership that will see it offer every resident of Malta free access to ChatGPT Plus for a year.
The Mediterranean island nation’s approximately 575,000 citizens will be able to access the AI tool in what OpenAI calls a “world’s first partnership.”
“At OpenAI, we are transforming 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, where and when they need it,” the company wrote in a blog post announcing the plans, “this vision only matters if people can actually use these tools in ways that improve their own lives and their communities.”
Malta leads the way
The idea is part of Malta’s AI for All initiative, which aims to provide more guidance on how its citizens can use technology responsibly.
Anyone wishing to access it will have to complete a course developed by the University of Malta, in order 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 expand further in the future, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority managing distribution to eligible participants.
“Through this partnership, Malta is leading Europe and the world in bringing AI to all its citizens,” said George Osborne, OpenAI Country Manager. “Intelligence is becoming a national public service and all governments have an important role to play in ensuring their populations have both access to and the skills needed to make the most of AI.”
“Malta is the first country to launch a partnership of this scale because we refuse to let our citizens be left behind in the digital age,” Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Minister of Economy, Business and Strategic Projects, said in a statement. “We put our people at the forefront of global change.”
The partnership is part of the company’s OpenAI for Countries plan, which aims to work with governments and other institutions to evaluate and adopt AI platforms.
OpenAI has already started working with the governments of Estonia and Greece, but only on national education systems, making its partnership with Malta the largest and most developed to date.
Promising “More access to advanced intelligence,” ChatGPT Plus 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 per month, along with separate plans for individuals and businesses.
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