OpenAI is offering ChatGPT Plus to every resident and citizen of Malta for one year, marking a unique partnership with the country. The initiative is designed to ensure that Malta’s approximately 574,250 residents do not fall behind in the digital age, according to Silvio Schembri, Malta’s minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects.
“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,” Schembri said. He emphasized that the program aims to place Maltese citizens at the forefront of global technological change.
To access the ChatGPT Plus subscription, residents must complete a course developed by the University of Malta. The course focuses on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and emphasizes the responsible use of AI in everyday life. An active European Union eID account is also required to claim the subscription.
The program’s first phase is set to launch this month, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority responsible for managing subscription distribution to eligible participants. OpenAI indicated that the initiative will expand as more Maltese residents, including those living abroad, complete the course requirements.
Concurrently, OpenAI has decided to pause its Stargate data center plans in the UK. The company cited high energy costs and regulatory challenges as the reasons for this decision, which was intended to assist the UK in developing its AI infrastructure.
