Malta becomes first country to offer free ChatGPT Plus to all residents

OpenAI and the Maltese government have signed a partnership agreement under a new program called AI for All. Every resident of the country who completes a free AI training course will receive a one-year ChatGPT Plus subscription.

The program launches in May and is the first national-level initiative in which an entire country provides all of its citizens with access to a paid version of ChatGPT, according to OpenAI. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The agreement is part of OpenAI's broader OpenAI for Countries strategy, under which the company is signing partnerships directly with national governments. Before Malta, no comparable program had been implemented at a national scale, making it the first precedent of its kind.

How the AI for All program works

The program is built around two main components. Residents first complete a free online course on working with AI, developed by the University of Malta in cooperation with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. The course is designed for users at any level of experience, from students and freelancers to business leaders. Its goal is to explain what AI can and cannot do, and how to use it responsibly.

After completing the course, participants receive a one-year ChatGPT Plus subscription paid for by the state. Access is granted through Malta's national electronic identification system, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority handling distribution. The program is open not only to residents but also to Maltese citizens permanently living abroad.

Malta has a population of roughly 550,000, making it one of the smallest countries in the European Union and easier to scale digital programs across than larger states such as Germany or France. The government has long positioned itself as a digital-first jurisdiction. It was one of the first countries in Europe to pass a comprehensive cryptocurrency framework, and it is now attempting to repeat that strategy with artificial intelligence.

"Through this AI for everyone course we are making sure that every citizen, regardless of their background, has the chance to build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in a digital world," said Silvio Schembri, Malta's Minister for the Economy. "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."