Malta launches updated national AI strategy during Cabinet meeting at Techxpo 2025

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced the launch of a new national public consultation on Malta’s updated Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, emphasising the country’s ambition to become Europe’s most “AI-friendly” nation.

Malta is set to update its national Artificial Intelligence strategy, with Prime Minister Robert Abela unveiling a new public consultation during an open Cabinet meeting held at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali as part of Techxpo 2025.

Dr Abela noted that Malta had been among the first EU member states to launch a national AI strategy seven years ago, and that the country has already implemented 80 per cent of that framework, despite it being five years away from its official end date.

He said that in a rapidly changing global environment – and in a sector evolving “every single day” – Government must update its plan. The renewed strategy will be aligned with the broader Vision Malta 2050, aimed at advancing social inclusion and sustained economic progress.

The Prime Minister stressed that the updated strategy is not solely focused on economic gains, but also on improving the quality of life for Maltese and Gozitan families. AI, he said, should be “a tool for everyone” and deliver tangible benefits in people’s day-to-day lives.

“We have a track record, investment, and the determination to keep moving forward into a new era of prosperity that secures the future of our children,” he said. He highlighted that the 2026 Budget includes a €100 million AI fund and other digital-transformation measures to ensure people acquire the skills they need.

Addressing concerns around automation, Dr Abela said AI is not there to replace workers, but to enhance operations and create higher-quality careers with improved working conditions. He added that AI is expected to strengthen essential public services, including health, education, and environmental management.

“We want to take the positive from technology while filtering out the negative,” he said, adding that children must remain “free thinkers” within a creative environment.

Dr Abela said Malta now has the economic foundations to continue expanding new digital economic niches. Citing the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), he noted that the share of businesses using AI in Malta exceeds the EU average.

This positions the country strongly to sustain economic growth “with less intensive land use and without requiring large numbers of additional workers”.

International institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), also view Malta as being well positioned to benefit from the development of AI, he added. The IMF has previously highlighted that around two-thirds of workers in Malta possess basic or slightly higher digital skills, an important base for AI adoption.

He also referred to the European Commission’s e-Government Benchmark, in which Malta received top marks for its performance in digital public services.

Techxpo 2025 is taking place between 20 and 22 November at the MFCC.