OpenAI · 2026-05-16 · major
OpenAI Signs Its First National-Government Deal — Every Malta Resident Gets a Free Year of ChatGPT Plus After an AI Literacy Course
OpenAI signed its first national-government deal: every Malta resident gets a year of free ChatGPT Plus after completing a University of Malta course on AI basics and responsible use.
OpenAI's first deal with a national government puts a year of free ChatGPT Plus in every Maltese resident's hands.
Key specs
| Free access | 1 year |
|---|---|
| Eligible residents | ~574,250 |
| Chat gpt plus value | $20/mo |
What is it?
Malta and OpenAI agreed to give the country's roughly 574,250 residents a free one-year ChatGPT Plus subscription, normally $20 a month. It is the first time OpenAI has partnered with a national government to distribute its paid product population-wide.
How does it work?
Residents first complete 'AI for All,' a free course built by the University of Malta covering what AI can and cannot do and how to use it responsibly. They then claim the subscription using their EU eID digital identity, with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority managing distribution. The first phase opens in May and scales as more people finish the course.
Why does it matter?
It treats AI access as public infrastructure rather than an individual purchase, and pairs the free tool with required literacy training. Other governments weighing national AI programs now have a concrete template and a test case to study.
Who is it for?
Malta residents, AI policy watchers