May 16 (Reuters) - U.S. artificial intelligence company OpenAI said on Saturday it had signed a deal with the government of Malta to give all residents access to its ChatGPT Plus service for one year after they follow a course on how to use AI.
o The programme will start in May and is expected to scale up as more Maltese residents complete the course, which will be free.
o It will also be open to Maltese citizens living abroad.
o "We are turning an unfamiliar concept into practical assistance for our families, students, and workers," Maltese Economy Minister Silvio Schembri was quoted as saying in an OpenAI statement.
o Malta is the first country to launch such a programme.
o The company did not disclose the financial details of the deal.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
