US-based artificial intelligence company OpenAI has announced a partnership with the government of Malta, under which all residents of the country will receive free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing a specialized course on using AI.

The program is set to launch in May and will expand as Maltese residents finish the free course. The opportunity will also be available to Maltese citizens living abroad.

“At OpenAI, we are making intelligence a global tool. We believe that, like electricity, intelligence should be available to people, businesses, and institutions in the right amount, where and when it is needed. This vision only matters if people actually get these tools in a way that improves their lives and society,” the company said in a statement.

Malta’s “AI for All” initiative, developed by the University of Malta, offers a course designed to teach various segments of the population how to use artificial intelligence.

The course aims to help people understand what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how to use it responsibly at home and at work.

“We are turning an unfamiliar concept into a practical assistant for our families, students, and workers. We will not allow our citizens to fall behind in the digital age,” said Malta’s Economy Minister Silvio Schembri.

Malta becomes the first country in the world to launch such a program. OpenAI did not disclose the financial details of the agreement.

According to Worldometer estimates based on UN data, Malta’s population exceeds 550,000 (some sources say over 574,000). The median age in the country is 41.5 years.

OpenAI is also currently collaborating with governments of countries such as Estonia and Greece to support national education systems.

Source: www.gazeta.uz