Malta Joins the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

What Is the GPAI and Why Does It Matter?

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is an international initiative supported by the OECD Secretariat in Paris. It brings together governments, academia, civil society, and industry from 44 member countries to bridge the gap between AI theory and real-world implementation.

GPAI's mission is to promote AI that is: Responsible — developed with accountability and transparency; Safe and Secure — aligned with global safety standards; Human-Centric — ensuring AI serves people, not the other way around; and Aligned with Democratic Values — respecting human rights and the rule of law.

For a small island nation like Malta, joining this group places it alongside major economies including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada in shaping the future of AI regulation and deployment worldwide.

What Malta's GPAI Membership Means for Businesses

Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri described the membership as "an important step in our national digital strategy and a clear demonstration of our commitment to responsible and forward-looking AI governance."

For businesses operating in Malta, this carries several practical implications: a stronger AI governance framework shaped by international best practice; access to a global network of AI researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders; increased credibility signalling adherence to internationally recognised ethical AI standards; and greater appeal to international AI companies seeking a European base.

CALYPSO: Malta's €10 Million AI Factory Antenna

Complementing the GPAI membership is another landmark achievement: Malta's selection to host CALYPSO (Computational AI factory Link Yielding Performance, Services, and Outreach), one of 13 AI Factory Antennas established across Europe by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.

CALYPSO represents a €10 million investment, led by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) and formally linked to Greece's PHAROS AI Factory. The European Union is investing approximately €55 million across all AI Factory Antennas, with matching contributions from participating countries.

CALYPSO will offer Maltese organisations secure remote access to EuroHPC AI supercomputing capacity, algorithmic support and curated datasets for AI model training, specialised training programmes, governance and compliance support, and access to resources in key sectors including finance, transport, and health.

The Bigger Picture: Malta's AI Strategy in 2026

These developments are part of a broader national strategy that includes the "AI for Everyone" initiative offering free AI courses and certifications for the general public; a €100 million technology investment for AI and digital technology adoption; Malta exploring AI-assisted legislative processes; and €475,000 in university-led applied AI research projects.

This workforce and governance investment also addresses concerns raised by national studies into how AI will impact jobs in Malta, ensuring that economic growth from AI is matched by workforce preparedness.

Malta's dual achievement of joining GPAI and launching the CALYPSO AI Factory Antenna within the same period is no coincidence. It reflects a deliberate, coordinated strategy to position the island as a trusted hub for AI innovation in the Mediterranean and beyond.