OpenAI has signed an agreement with the Maltese government to offer residents free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing a basic AI course.
The program will launch in May 2026 and will gradually expand as new users complete the training. The courses will be free, and access to the subscription will be available not only to residents but also to Maltese citizens living abroad.
Under normal circumstances, the ChatGPT Plus subscription costs $20 per month. The population of Malta is estimated to be around 550,000 people.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri stated that the authorities aim to transform AI "from an abstract concept into a practical tool" for families, students, and workers.
"Malta is the first country to launch a partnership of this scale, as we do not want our citizens to fall behind in the digital age. We are placing our people at the forefront of global change," the official emphasized.
OpenAI noted that the project aims to enhance digital literacy and accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence in education, business, and the public sector. This initiative is part of a broader program called OpenAI for Countries, where the company collaborates with governments on the integration of AI tools.
Malta is actively developing its national strategy for artificial intelligence and has previously joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence. The authorities position the island as one of Europe’s centers for digital technology and innovation regulation.
As a reminder, in May, OpenAI introduced GPT-5.5-Cyber, a modified version of its flagship model for cybersecurity tasks.