Malta has formally joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), becoming part of a 44-country alliance focused on the responsible and human-centric development of artificial intelligence.

The government confirmed that Malta’s application has been accepted, marking a new milestone in the country’s digital and innovation strategy. GPAI is an international initiative supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretariat in Paris and brings together governments, academia, civil society and industry stakeholders.

The partnership aims to bridge the gap between AI research and real-world implementation, promoting safe, secure and ethical deployment of artificial intelligence technologies across sectors.

According to Silvio Schembri, Malta’s accession represents a strategic step within the country’s broader digital transformation agenda. He described the move as a demonstration of Malta’s commitment to forward-looking and responsible AI governance, while positioning the island as an active contributor to international digital policy discussions.

Membership in GPAI provides Malta with access to global expertise, policy collaboration and working groups focused on emerging AI challenges, including governance frameworks, risk management and practical deployment standards.

The initiative has gained prominence as governments worldwide seek to balance innovation with safeguards amid the rapid development of generative AI and machine learning technologies. By joining the partnership, Malta aligns itself with a multilateral framework that seeks to shape common principles and best practices in AI oversight.

Beyond regulatory cooperation, the government said the move is also expected to strengthen Malta’s local AI ecosystem, offering benefits for businesses and start-ups operating in the sector. Participation in GPAI working groups may help Maltese firms tap into cross-border research networks and policy-driven opportunities.

Malta has increasingly positioned digital innovation, fintech and AI as pillars of its economic strategy in recent years. Joining the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence reinforces that direction and signals a willingness to engage at the highest levels of international AI governance.