Malta – The Strategy and Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta 2030

The Strategy and Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta 2030 was developed by the Malta.AI Taskforce, which has been commissioned by the Maltese Government. The main objective of the national strategy is to position Malta as a global leader in the AI field, gaining a strategic competitive advantage in the global economy.

The strategy is built on 3 strategic pillars:

• Investment, Start-ups, and Innovation: This pillar aims to generate investment and establish Malta as a hub for AI application and niche areas of research and development, fostering a vibrant startup community.

• Public Sector Adoption: This pillar explores the widespread deployment of AI across the public administration to enhance citizens' experiences, expand access to public services, and improve overall well-being. Six AI pilot projects, covering areas such as traffic management, education, health, customer service, tourism, and utilities, are undertaken over the next three years.

• Private Sector Adoption: This pillar outlines initiatives to promote awareness and enable companies of all sizes to use, develop, and integrate AI applications within their organizations. Support measures include access to technological expertise, provision of toolkits, and financial assistance.

Each pillar is supported by three strategic enablers:

• Education and workforce.

• Ethical and legal considerations. 

• Ecosystem infrastructure.

A total of 72 AI actions are undertaken, distributed among these pillars and enablers. All the actions have been jointly developed with relevant stakeholders, who have committed to taking responsibility for achieving the common targets. Six AI pilot projects covering:

• Traffic Management;

• Education;

• Health;

• Consumer Services;

• Tourism;

• Utilities.

Education and workforce development play a crucial role in the strategy, with special emphasis on AI awareness building among students, parents, and teachers. Various activities are carried out at different stages of the educational process to successfully implement AI.

The strategy also addresses the transformation of the job market due to increased AI usage. The government plans to design and launch a national reskilling program to help vulnerable workers develop new digital skills through short training courses and support measures for on-the-job training. Support measures will also be developed to encourage employers to invest in on-the-job training and enable employees to undertake external training programs.

With the implementation of this strategy, the Maltese government aims to stimulate research, development, and innovation across the country, aspiring to become one of the top 10 nations with the most impactful national AI program by 2030. The government is dedicated to creating favorable conditions for a robust local AI ecosystem, facilitating companies that invest in and serve Malta to not only establish their businesses but also commercialize and scale their AI solutions. Public policy also plays a role in accelerating private sector adoption of AI.