OpenAI’s Malta Deal: Free ChatGPT Plus for Citizens Who Complete AI Training

The programme will roll out in phases beginning in May 2026, expanding gradually as more people complete the training.

Who Can Get the Free ChatGPT Plus Access

Eligibility is designed to cover much of Malta’s population:

• Residents registered in Malta’s digital identity system can apply after finishing the AI course.
• Maltese citizens living abroad are also expected to be able to participate.

This approach allows the government to verify participants through existing digital identity infrastructure while making the programme accessible to the wider Maltese diaspora.

The AI Literacy Course Requirement

Before receiving ChatGPT Plus access, participants must complete a free AI training course focused on practical and responsible AI use.

The course is part of Malta’s broader push to help people understand:

• How generative AI tools work
• How to use them productively for work, study, and daily life
• Safety and responsible use of AI systems

By linking the subscription to training, the programme encourages widespread AI adoption while ensuring users understand the technology they are using.

How It Connects to Malta’s 2026 Budget Plan

The initiative directly implements a commitment made in Malta’s 2026 national budget, which promised free AI courses, certifications, and access to AI platforms for those who completed the training.

That budget also included a €100 million investment programme to accelerate adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and immersive technologies.

The OpenAI partnership operationalizes that promise by providing the AI platform itself—ChatGPT Plus—to participants who complete the training.

Part of Malta’s “AI for Everyone” Strategy

The programme fits into Malta’s broader “AI for Everyone” (AI4ALL) initiative, aimed at building an AI‑literate society rather than limiting advanced tools to specialists or businesses.

The goal is to make AI a practical everyday tool for:

• Students
• Families
• Workers
• Entrepreneurs

Government officials have framed the effort as a way to turn AI from an abstract concept into real assistance in daily life and work.

Why This Deal Matters Globally

The partnership is notable because it represents one of the first national programmes giving widespread public access to a premium generative‑AI tool through a government initiative.

It also reflects a broader shift in how AI companies and governments are collaborating. OpenAI has increasingly pursued partnerships with national governments to:

• Expand AI infrastructure
• integrate AI into education and public services
• build AI‑ready workforces and digital skills programmes.

Initiatives such as OpenAI for Countries and Education for Countries aim to help governments deploy AI across sectors like education, healthcare, and public administration.

Malta’s programme provides a practical example of how those partnerships can work at the population level—combining training, public policy, and direct access to AI tools.

Financial Details

While the programme’s structure has been announced, the financial terms of the agreement between OpenAI and Malta have not been publicly disclosed.

The Bigger Picture

Malta’s initiative illustrates an emerging model for national AI adoption: combine digital skills training with direct access to advanced AI tools so citizens can quickly integrate them into work and everyday life.

If successful, similar programmes could appear in other countries looking to accelerate AI literacy and economic competitiveness in an increasingly AI‑driven global economy.