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OpenAI has signed its first partnership with a national government bringing the paid version of ChatGPT for free to residents of Malta.
OpenAI and the Government of Malta on Saturday announced a deal that will give every citizen free access to the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for one year through a government-led AI literacy programme.
Citizens and residents registered with Malta’s online identity system can apply after completing a free online course called AI for All, developed by the University of Malta.
According to the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, the course is designed to help people understand what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how to use it responsibly at home and at work.
The first phase of the programme will launch in May, according to the announcement.
The Malta Digital Innovation Authority will manage access to the free subscriptions, and it said the programme will grow as more people complete the course.
“By pairing this education with free access to the most advanced digital tools available today, we are turning an unfamiliar concept into practical assistance for our families, students, and workers,” said Silvio Schembri, the country’s minister for economy, enterprise and strategic projects, in an announcement.
The partnership is the first of its kind, according to the announcement.
“Malta is leading the way by showing how countries can empower their citizens to benefit from the transformative potential of AI,” said George Osborne, head of OpenAI for Countries, an initiative by OpenAI “built around local priorities”.
The partnership is part of a growing trend among governments to find practical ways to help people build confidence using AI and apply it to everyday tasks.
Last year, Anthropic announced a project that gives all teachers in Iceland access to Claude, its AI assistant, to help with lesson planning, classroom materials and administrative tasks.
In September 2025, OpenAI announced a partnership with the Greek government to bring its technology to secondary schools and start-ups across the country.
Meanwhile, in February 2025, the UK government signed a memorandum of understanding with Anthropic to improve how people access and interact with government information and services online.