In 2018, Malta sought to position itself at the forefront of technological innovation by announcing it would be drawing up a comprehensive national framework for the development of ethical and trustworthy artificial intelligence.

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This announcement signalled Malta’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies and positioned it as a potential AI launchpad. Focusing on the ethics of this burgeoning field was practical for a nation with only an emerging tech industry and prescient in addressing the inevitable questions about the technology’s application.

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Fast forward six years, and we’ve reached a pivotal moment. The introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022 showcased the capabilities of advanced computational systems, giving the world a first taste of the technology’s power and marking the beginning of a new era. However, despite the global excitement, Malta’s initial momentum seems to have waned.

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This stagnation is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a call to action. As digital integration deepens and intelligent systems permeate every aspect of life, Malta must refresh its ambitions, turning policy declarations into tangible progress.

‎An Industrial Revolution Like No Other

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The evolution of intelligent technologies has reached a critical juncture, powered by unparalleled computing capabilities and extensive data repositories. These tools have immense potential to revolutionize tasks and industries, offering both thrilling prospects and daunting challenges, particularly regarding employment and societal impacts.

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The advent of AI signifies a paradigm shift akin to a new industrial revolution, one distinguished by its capacity to manufacture not just physical goods but intelligence itself. Historically, technological advancements have disrupted and realigned labour markets, rendering certain skills obsolete while simultaneously creating new opportunities.

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The evolution from manual to mechanized labour introduced complexities that demanded new expertise. Yet, AI’s trajectory is unique in its direct emulation and production of human-like intelligence, presenting uncharted challenges and opportunities. As we stand on the brink of this new era, it’s imperative to reflect on how Malta can navigate the transition to ensure that AI advances the common good rather than exacerbating disparities.

Government’s Dual Role in Development

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Malta’s government must navigate a dual path. Policymaking must address the multifaceted impacts of these technologies, ensuring ethical use, employment protection, and privacy rights. Concurrently, there’s a strategic necessity for Malta to develop its own AI infrastructure. Reliance on AI technologies developed by a handful of corporations, primarily based in the United States, poses risks of dependency and cultural dilution. 

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By investing in sovereign AI, Malta can tailor technologies to reflect its unique needs, including the preservation of its culture, language and history. Building sovereign AI infrastructure will surely come at a high cost, but one we will have to make sooner or later. Country’s that are able to embrace AI and to design sensible structures around it are more likely to thrive in the economy of the future. 

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As the technology creeps further into our lives, it will become crucial not to having the technology concentrated in the hands of a few countries, companies even. This is especially important when considering that, while they can do impressive things, these technologies are still models, developed by people and trained on specific chunks of data. They are prone to biases and manipulation which users are often not aware of. These facts underscore the importance of inclusive, publicly overseen AI initiatives that serve broad societal interests rather than entrenching existing power dynamics. 

Malta’s Strategic Initiatives

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To leverage the opportunities this technology presents, Malta must adopt a proactive, strategic stance. While recent digital service advancements and process digitization are commendable, further integration and data optimization are necessary.

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Cultivating a local ecosystem signals Malta’s commitment to innovation and positions it as an attractive business hub. With global powers vying for technological dominance, Malta’s engagement can enhance its strategic relevance.

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Promoting workplace adoption and sector-wide applications is essential. Training programs and a dedicated entity can streamline integration, leveraging Malta’s agility to address local and global challenges.

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The recent success of Professor Alexei Dalli’s Digital Traffic Brain project, which secured significant funding on the popular TV show Shark Tank, illustrates the potential for local innovations in enhancing daily life. Such initiatives, ideally supported by state expertise, can drive progress across various sectors, from public services to local content creation, enhancing efficiency and cultural vitality.

The private sector undoubtedly has a key role to play in the development of thriving ecosystem, but so too will be the Maltese state developing its own expertise. At least to the extent that it is able to identify such projects itself, rather than waiting to have them pitched by the private companies. 

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AI could be used for anything from developing large language models for the Maltese language which can be deployed in areas like the public sector and our courts to increase efficiency to help local content creation, enhancing communication and ensuring the Maltese language thrives in the digital age. 

There undoubtedly countless other applications that could significantly improve life on Malta, its just a matter of identifying them and putting ourselves in a position to implement them. 

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While Malta has shown some initiative in embracing the digital age, there’s a pressing need to transition from ambition to action. The tendency to halt at planning stages or offer mere lip service must be overcome. The path forward requires not just identifying opportunities but actively pursuing them, ensuring Malta harnesses these technologies to benefit its society and economy comprehensively.