Malta will be the first in the world to give residents ChatGPT Plus: authorities are betting on AI literacy

The Maltese government has announced the launch of an unusual government program: all citizens will be granted free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year. This marks the first time in the world that a government has centrally granted access to a premium neural network as part of a national digital initiative. The project is part of the AI ​​for All program, aimed at increasing the digital literacy of the country's residents. However, subscriptions are not automatic: participants must first complete a special course on artificial intelligence developed by the University of Malta.

On social media, the initiative has already been compared to a "digital humanities program": instead of the usual benefits, it offers access to cutting-edge AI tools. The government explains the decision as a desire to prepare citizens for the new technological era and prevent digital lag. Maltese Economy Minister Silvio Schembri stated that the country wants to place its citizens "at the forefront of global change." According to him, artificial intelligence should not become a privilege for the elite, but an everyday tool for learning, work, and life.