OpenAI has signed a landmark agreement with the government of Malta to provide all Maltese residents with free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing an AI literacy course. The initiative is being described as the first nationwide partnership of its kind between OpenAI and a national government.
The program, called “AI for All,” is scheduled to begin in May 2026 and aims to improve AI literacy, responsible AI usage, and practical digital skills among citizens. Residents who complete the free training course will receive complimentary access to ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI’s premium subscription service. The initiative will also be available to Maltese citizens living abroad.
According to OpenAI, the AI literacy course is being developed in collaboration with the University of Malta. The program is designed to help participants understand how artificial intelligence works, where it can be applied in everyday life and work, and how to use AI systems responsibly and safely.
Maltese Economy Minister Silvio Schembri described the initiative as an effort to turn AI “from an unfamiliar concept into practical assistance” for families, workers, and students across the country. OpenAI’s Head of OpenAI for Countries, George Osborne, stated that intelligence is becoming “a national utility” and emphasized that governments have an important role in ensuring citizens have both access to AI tools and the skills to use them effectively.
The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed publicly. However, the partnership represents another major step in OpenAI’s growing collaboration with governments and public institutions globally as the company expands beyond consumer chatbots into national-scale AI infrastructure and education initiatives.
Reports also indicate that Microsoft is involved in the broader initiative through Copilot-related access and AI enablement support. Malta’s government has positioned the partnership as part of its wider digital transformation and innovation strategy.
The Malta agreement reflects OpenAI’s broader international expansion efforts through its “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, which focuses on helping governments integrate AI technologies into public services, workforce development, education, and digital infrastructure. The company has increasingly been pursuing national partnerships as competition intensifies globally in AI adoption and regulation.
The move also highlights how countries are beginning to treat AI access and literacy as strategic national priorities, similar to internet infrastructure or digital education programs. Analysts believe such partnerships could become more common as governments seek to prepare citizens for rapidly changing AI-driven economies and workplaces.
