The Maltese government has struck a deal with OpenAI that will hand every citizen a free year of ChatGPT Plus — but only if they first pass a state-backed course on artificial intelligence. The partnership, announced this week, makes Malta the first country to weave a commercial AI subscription directly into a national digital-education program.
How the one-year deal works
Under the arrangement, any Maltese resident who completes the government’s AI literacy training will receive a coupon for 12 months of ChatGPT Plus. The subscription normally costs $20 a month and includes priority access to the latest model, longer responses, and image generation. The program is funded by the Maltese government through an undisclosed agreement with OpenAI. Citizens can take the course online or in person at community centers across the island.
What the literacy course covers
The curriculum was designed by Malta’s education ministry in consultation with OpenAI. It covers how large language models work, how to spot AI-generated misinformation, and the ethical limits of automation. The government says the course takes about ten hours to finish. People who already hold a degree in a tech field can test out of the first two modules. Officials have not said how many people are expected to enroll in the first year, but the country’s population is roughly 520,000.
Why Malta moved first
Malta has spent years positioning itself as a testbed for new technology. It launched a national blockchain strategy in 2018 and later set up a sandbox for fintech startups. The OpenAI deal is the latest step in that push. A government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, but the prime minister’s office posted on X that the program is meant to “ensure no one is left behind as AI reshapes the economy.” The post did not provide a start date for the course registration.
What comes next
Registration for the literacy course is expected to open within the next two months. The government says it will publish a schedule of online sessions and in-person workshops by the end of the quarter. Citizens who complete the training will get their ChatGPT Plus activation code by email. For now, the biggest question unanswered is how the government will handle renewals after the free year ends — the current deal covers only the first 12 months.
