Malta just became the first country in the world to give every resident free access to ChatGPT Plus for a full year — but there’s a catch. Before activating the $20/month subscription, Maltese citizens must complete a new AI course developed by the University of Malta. The training teaches the basics of artificial intelligence and how to use it responsibly, both at work and at home. The program launches this month, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority handling sign-ups for eligible participants. Anyone who finishes the course and has an active EU eID account can claim their free year of ChatGPT Plus immediately. OpenAI confirmed that the program will expand once more Maltese residents or citizens abroad complete the training, though no timeline was given for the rollout beyond the initial phase. The government framed this as a way to keep Malta’s workforce and citizens from falling behind in the digital age. ‘We refuse to let our citizens stay behind in the digital age,’ said Silvio Schembri, Malta’s minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, in a statement accompanying the announcement. The move is part of a broader push by the Maltese government to position the island nation as a hub for digital innovation and AI adoption. The free year of ChatGPT Plus is valued at about €240 per person, a significant incentive for a country of roughly 574,000 residents. The course itself is designed to be accessible to non-technical users, with modules covering everything from prompt engineering to ethical considerations when using AI tools. OpenAI didn’t say whether similar programs are in the works for other countries, but the Malta partnership sets a new standard for government-led AI adoption initiatives. While OpenAI expands its reach in Malta, the company has quietly hit pause on its Stargate data center project in the UK. OpenAI cited high energy costs and regulatory hurdles as the reasons for halting the initiative, which was meant to help the UK build out its AI infrastructure. The Stargate project was one of several large-scale AI data center plans announced in recent years, but few have broken ground so far. The Malta program could serve as a model for other governments looking to integrate AI tools into public services without leaving citizens behind. It’s also a smart move for OpenAI, which gets a real-world test of its premium product in a controlled environment with high user engagement. The company will likely monitor usage patterns and feedback closely to refine its approach before expanding the offer elsewhere. For now, Maltese residents have a unique opportunity to experience AI at its most advanced level — but only if they’re willing to put in the time to learn how it works first.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Engadget
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 16:34 UTC
  • Category: Gadgets
  • Topics: #engadget · #gadgets · #reviews · #machine-learning · #open

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Malta acaba de dar um passo ousado e inspirador no mundo da tecnologia, oferecendo um ano inteiro de ChatGPT Plus gratuito para todos os seus cidadãos — mas com uma condição inovadora: só depois de concluírem um curso básico de inteligência artificial. A iniciativa, que vale até junho de 2026, coloca o pequeno país mediterrâneo na vanguarda da educação digital, transformando o acesso à IA em uma política pública.

O Brasil, que já enfrenta desafios como a inclusão digital e a formação de mão de obra qualificada para a nova economia, pode tirar lições valiosas desse modelo. Enquanto governos brasileiros ainda debatem como integrar a IA no cotidiano — seja na educação, saúde ou serviços públicos —, Malta mostra que é possível democratizar o uso de ferramentas avançadas com incentivos concretos. Para o público de língua portuguesa, a notícia reforça a importância de se preparar para um futuro onde o domínio básico de tecnologias como o ChatGPT será tão essencial quanto saber usar uma calculadora.

A pergunta que fica é: até quando o Brasil — e outros países lusófonos — vão observar de longe enquanto nações menores mostram como usar a IA a serviço da população?