OpenAI signed an agreement with the Malta government to provide ChatGPT Plus subscriptions free for one year to all Maltese residents who complete an AI training course starting May 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The program will scale as more residents finish the course.
The AI training course is developed by the University of Malta and covers responsible AI use both at home and at work [2]. Participants must have a valid EU eID account to claim the subscription [2]. The Malta Digital Innovation Authority will manage the distribution and rollout of the program [2, 3].
The offer extends to Maltese citizens living abroad, broadening access beyond the country's approximate 574,250 population [1, 2, 3]. Microsoft is also collaborating, offering Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot subscriptions after course completion as part of Malta's national AI literacy and digital transformation initiative [3].
Malta's Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said, "Malta is the first country to launch a partnership of this scale because we refuse to let our citizens stay behind in the digital age" [2]. He added in Mandarin that combining education with ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot "turns unfamiliar concepts into real help for families, students, and workers, ensuring Maltese people stay at the forefront of digital technology" [3].
Foreign Minister Ian Borg emphasized the national goal that "everyone benefits from technology's potential with no one left behind," noting AI is transforming all aspects of life [3]. OpenAI’s national affairs head George Osborne said the partnership "empowers citizens to benefit from AI's transformative potential" and hopes Malta's proactive approach sets a model for other countries [3].
Microsoft representative Tilenachos Moraitis highlighted the program's extension of prior efforts to integrate Copilot in public services. He stressed that in an AI-driven economy, investing in "human capability" is more important than data centers and that Malta is investing in this capacity nationwide [3].
This is OpenAI's first large-scale, country-level partnership, according to the company [2, 3]. The program launched in May 2026 after Malta signed partnership agreements with OpenAI and Microsoft on May 16, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Eligible residents can now participate by completing the AI course to access ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft 365 Personal Copilot subscriptions.
