Malta is set to become the first country in the world to offer its citizens a free one-year subscription to ChatGPT Plus. OpenAI has struck a deal with the Maltese government, under which residents can obtain the subscription after completing a course on using artificial intelligence. Dubbed "AI for All," the initiative will kick off in May and will be managed by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. The program is open not only to island residents but also to Maltese citizens living abroad.
Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Minister Silvio Schembri stated that Malta does not want its citizens to fall behind in the digital age. According to him, the country aims to place people at the center of global technological changes and transform AI from an unfamiliar concept into a practical tool.
The financial terms of the agreement between OpenAI and the Maltese government have not been disclosed. However, the regular cost of ChatGPT Plus is $20 per month, and the country's population is estimated at around 574,000. This makes the program potentially one of the largest government initiatives for widespread AI access.