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OpenAI and Malta agree to give residents a year of ChatGPT Plus

Published
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12

Why it matters

OpenAI has partnered with Malta's government to provide one year of free ChatGPT Plus access to all eligible residents and citizens who complete a government-backed AI safety course. The rollout, managed by Malta's Digital Innovation Authority in coordination with Economy Minister Silvio Schembri, will launch in phases beginning May 2026. The University of Malta developed the required course, and participants must hold an active EU eID account. The program extends to Maltese citizens living abroad. OpenAI has not disclosed financial terms.

The exact rollout timeline and enrollment capacity remain unclear. Details on course completion rates, access limitations, or renewal terms after the initial year have not been made public.

This marks the first country-level ChatGPT deployment of its kind and signals a broader shift in how governments approach AI adoption. Attorneys advising clients on public-sector technology contracts, digital inclusion mandates, or AI governance should monitor how Malta structures data access, liability, and user protections in this model. The arrangement also raises questions about precedent: whether other jurisdictions will pursue similar national licensing agreements, and what contractual frameworks govern government-backed AI literacy programs tied to commercial tool access.

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