Strategic Pillars & Enablers

Malta AI Strategy & Vision 2030

A Strategy and Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta 2030 aims to map the path for Malta to gain a strategic competitive advantage in the global economy as a leader in the AI field. The Strategy is expansive, looking at the impact commercially and socially, areas of economic opportunity and the need for special consideration, if not regulation, where AI use cases potentially intersect with national priorities, values and citizen’s rights.

AI is expected to have a transformative impact across multiple areas of society, government and business. The Strategy and Vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta 2030 therefore takes a holistic approach and aims to give due focus to the needs of various different groups of stakeholders as the country looks forward to achieving its vision.

The MDIA has been tasked with the responsibility for the monitoring and governance of the strategy’s implementation.

Below is the progress status of the pillar and enabler action points related to the strategic and vision for Artificial Intelligence in Malta by 2030.

Investment, Start-ups and Innovation

The ‘investment, start-ups and innovation’ strategic pillar sets out initiatives to generate investment and position the country as a hub for AI application and niche areas of research and development, supported by a vibrant start-up community.

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

Part of MDIA’s budget has been earmarked for the creation of support measures for the further diffusion of innovative technology arrangements within the public and private sector in order to increase efficiency, transparency and citizen engagement.

The overall objective of the MDIA AI Applied Research Grant (MAARG) is to support capacity-building efforts related to Artificial Intelligence research in Malta.

This Grant aims to encourage:

Increased capacity for AI-related research in Malta.
Increased investment in AI-related R&D activities.
Increased adoption of AI technologies by the public and private sectors.
Increased collaboration between academia and commercial entities.

In terms of rationale and scope, this Grant is aligned with several of the goals of the Malta AI Strategy including:

Building awareness of AI and its potential benefits for society.
Stimulating R&D through AI-related activities.
Fostering a culture of collaboration between research institutions and industry.
Demonstrating the potential benefits of AI applications to both the public and private sectors.

This Grant aims to advance progress related to a number of Actions within the Malta AI Strategy. The MAARG opened in January 2022 and was open for the four (4) rounds (i.e. four (4) quarters of the year 2022).

Within the first round (i.e., Q1 – January 2022 – March 2022)
three (3) applications were awarded the grant in Q1; and

Within the fourth round (i.e. Q4 – October 2022 – December 2022)
one (1) application was received.

The projects which were awarded

#	Project Title	Grant Amount
1	medicX-KE: Knowledge-Graph based Explainability for Drug-Drug Interactions	€25,000
2	Intelligent Precision Cosmology in the Era of New Physics (IntelliVerse)	€25,000
3	Optimising the cultural tourism experience through Al	€24,722.80
4	Intelligent Inventory (I²)	€24,998

Further details about the projects can be found via the following link:
https://www.mdia.gov.mt/schemes/ai-applied-research-grant/

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

Malta Enterprise, the Economic Development Agency of the Maltese Government, has launched a set of incentives which aim to support companies of various sizes in R&D and innovation activities.

1. Investment Aid 2021

The Investment Aid Scheme aims to sustain the regional industrial and economic development of Malta. This measure facilitates initial investments by encouraging the setting up of new establishments as well as the expansion and development of existing businesses. The aid awarded under these guidelines shall amount to a percentage of qualifying expenditure incurred and may take the form of tax credit (which may be claimed against future tax bills) and/or cash grant.

https://maltaenterprise.com/support/investment-aid-2021

2. Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax)

The Corporation also administers the Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax) measure which facilitates the relocation of highly skill personnel engaged in research and creative roles.

https://maltaenterprise.com/support/qualifying-employment-innovation-and-creativity-personal-tax-0

3. Research and Development 2020

The aim of this incentive is to assist Industrial Research and Experimental Development activities required by industry for the acquisition of knowledge leading to the development of innovative products and solutions. The measure also encourages cooperation between undertakings by providing additional assistance for Industrial Research and/or Experimental Development projects. Approved projects will mainly be supported through a tax credit, but the Corporation may also consider approving support in the form of a cash grant.

https://maltaenterprise.com/support/research-and-development-2020

4. Exploring Research Grant Scheme

Through this measure, Malta Enterprise aims to support businesses carrying out feasibility studies to determine the technical and commercial challenges and carrying out preliminary activities that will enable businesses to make more knowledgeable decisions in the development of the intended research and development project. The Corporation may support the implementation of a feasibility study with a cash grant of up to fifty thousand euro (€50,000) which shall cover a percentage of the eligible costs depending on the size of the undertaking.

The scheme is available until 31st December 2023.

https://maltaenterprise.com/support/research-grant-scheme

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

1. Business Start 2021

Business START offers seed and growth funding for small start-ups. Start-up’s undertakings that are still in their early development phase may receive an initial grant of up to ten thousand euro (€10,000) to help them develop their business proposal and undergo a Feasibility Study that will help them determine the feasibility of their business idea. Start-ups that present a viable business plan may receive additional support linked to full time employment which may reach up to twenty thousand euro (€25,000) per quarter up to a maximum of two hundred thousand euros (€200,000).

This incentive shall be available from 1st January 2021 until the 31st of December 2023. The Corporation may periodically update and amend these Incentive Guidelines and may terminate the incentive at an earlier date. Any request for assistance shall be considered by applying the conditions established in the current Incentive Guidelines when the request for assistance is received.

https://maltaenterprise.com/support/bstart-2021

2. Start Up Finance 2020

The aim of this measure is to support Small Start-up Undertakings that demonstrate a viable business concept and that exhibit commitment to expand and further develop their economic activity. Malta Enterprise may provide support not exceeding four hundred thousand euro (€400,000) which may be increased to up to eight hundred thousand euro (€800,000) if the Start-up is an Innovative Enterprise.

Through this new scheme, Malta Enterprise will provide support linked to private equity, wage costs, procurement of tangible & intangible assets, working capital, crowdfunding and the participation in a recognised Start-up Accelerator programme.

The support, with the exception of a onetime Accelerator Grant shall be awarded as a repayable advance in accordance with the rules provided in these Incentive Guidelines.

This incentive was available until the 31st of December 2022.

https://maltaenterprise.com/startup-finance

Public Sector Adoption

The ‘public sector adoption’ strategic pillar explores how AI can be deployed widely across the public administration to improve citizens’ experiences, expand access to public services, and directly improve well-being. Six AI pilot projects covering traffic management, education, health, customer service, tourism, and utilities will be undertaken over the coming three years.

This Action Point is being discussed.

Private Sector Adoption

The ‘private sector adoption’ strategic pillar details initiatives to drive awareness and enable companies of all sizes to use, develop and integrate AI applications across their organisations. Support measures include access to technological expertise, the provision of toolkits and financial assistance.

Ownership

Summary of Action Point

Various awareness activities will be undertaken which aim to build knowledge and encourage dialogue with private businesses.

The project proposed, led by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, foresees the setting up of a single EDIH in Malta titled: Malta- EDIH. In line with the call for proposals for the EDIHs, the Malta-EDIH aims at providing the complete set of services of an EDIH on an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory basis and targeted towards SMEs, small midcaps, and public sector organisations.

Within the Hub there will be series of public workshops organized to facilitate two-way dialogue between AI experts and industry.

The EU has agreed the funding for the project under the Digital Europe Programme under the guidance of the European Commission, following the consent of the Ministry for Finance and Employment (MFIN), the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands (MEEL) and cabinet, and following a national appeal. Malta is rated 127th out of 225 nations with the EDIH initiative.

EDIH was launched in March 2023 with a kick-off conference. Works are in progress to finish the first floor within MDIA premises, and actions taken are constantly in line with EU established deliverables and milestones, which are the base of the Hub’s operation.

Education & Workforce

The ‘education and workforce’ strategic enabler plans for the impact of technology and automation on the Maltese labour market and proposes measures to assist workers to develop new digital skills, increase the number of AI specialists and equip all students in higher education programmes in Malta with AI knowledge.

This Action Point is being discussed.

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

Malta Digital Innovation Authority has proposals to build awareness of what AI is, counteract fears and showcase how it will benefit Maltese citizens of all ages mainly:

Malta AI in schools
Malta AI for teachers
Malta AI for the General Public

The following initiatives are being implemented:

1. A business breakfast.

As part of awareness campaign MDIA has partnered for the following event:

A business breakfast hosted by Malta Digital Innovation Authority and supported by Times of Malta. Moderated by Times of Malta journalist James Cummings.

Guest Speakers

Hon. Minister Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands
Kenneth Brincat, MDIA CEO

The event took place on April 26th, 2023.

2. Future innovators summer school.

It is imperative that the younger generation of society adapts and learns more about Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and Information Technology that is constantly evolving.

As a result, MDIA is organising a Summer School related to this topic known as the Future Innovators Summer School.

This programme will be aimed at teens aged thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) years , with the goal of assisting young minds in providing creative abilities in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation, which are essential for all career pathways in all sectors.

Teens who finish this summer school programme will have a greater grasp of Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation, as well as a stepping stone for them to continue their education at the secondary and perhaps postsecondary and tertiary levels.

Dates	10th July 2023 – 7th September 2023
Times	08:30am – 12:30pm
Age Groups	Year 9 to Year 11 of Scholastic Year 2023-2024 (13- to 15-year-olds)

The Future Innovators Summer School will consist of two (2) lessons each week for eight (8) weeks, with lessons beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 12:30 a.m. including a 30-minute break. These will take place on Mondays and Fridays of every week.

Project Budget: €22,000

3. ‘xPloring intelligence’, a bootcamp on Us and Tech.

MDIA in collaboration with the Faculty of ICT, University of Malta, are providing the following programme for Maltese teenagers: xPloring Intelligence – A Bootcamp on Us and Tech.

This programme will be aimed at preteens attending scholastic year seven (7) to year nine (9) during the scholastic year 2023-2024.

This boot camp focusses on assisting young minds in providing creative abilities in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation, which are essential for all career pathways in all sectors.

Dates	11th September 2023 – 15th September 2023 (Full week)
Times	8:30am till 13:00pm (including two 30 minutes breaks)
Age Groups	Year 7 till Year 9 of the Scholastic Year 2023-2024 (11- to 13-year-olds)

Project Budget: €10,000

Ownership: University of Malta (UM) – Faculty of Education.

Summary of Action Point

The Department of AI has designed several accredited (based on ECTS credits) study units intended to make AI more accessible to students and the public. These units are intended for those students following programmes specifically in the area of AI, as well as those students, professionals and the public that want to learn more about what AI is, but do not have a technical background. The plan is for these units to start being offered as from the academic year 2022/2023.

Unit: Principals of AI

The blended learning study unit Principals of AI is specifically intended to provide 1st-year students pursuing different degree programmes as well as professionals from different walks of life, with an applied perspective to AI. AI techniques are being applied to different disciplines and research areas and therefore both current and future professionals need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to be able to understand when to best apply AI while also measure its implications. There are also several issues related to ethics and trust in AI that learners need to be aware of. Through this unit students will also be empowered by different skills that will enable them to evaluate AI techniques and data sources.

Unit: Ethics & AI

Ethics and AI is another blended learning unit that, although intended for students following the undergraduate and graduate degrees in AI, it can be pursued by individuals that are interested in the ethical and legal implications behind AI. This unit will in fact focus on the need to present the basic ethical frameworks used in current approaches to ethics in AI, the methods used in designing artificial agents which conform to instances of such frameworks, and the need to equip students with the skills of analysis needed to reason about ethical dilemmas in AI. Students will furthermore be exposed more formally to the concept of Algorithmic Fairness especially in relation to Machine Learning (ML). Students will be able to appreciate and present ways of measuring and preventing biased decision-making by ML models, and the accuracy/fairness trade-off. It is also very important for students to fully understand the legal ramifications associated with AI since this will have implications on any work that they will do in the future. In this regard, students will be exposed to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its impact on AI that involves personal data. Additionally, other legal policies like the Anti-discrimination law, IPR, Compliance and the MDIA act, will also be discussed.

Unit: AI Bootcamp

A third planned study unit is entitled AI Bootcamp. The scope behind this unit is twofold. It is first intended for those prospective MSc in AI degree students that want to have a refresher on important theoretical and fundamental topics in the area. Different professionals with different industrial backgrounds are becoming increasingly interested in the use of AI techniques in their place of work also in cases where individuals want a career change or advancement. Other individuals might have obtained their relevant undergraduate qualification years back and this course will serve them as a refresher as well as a natural steppingstone into the MSc in AI.

Ownership: University of Malta (UM)

Summary of Action Point

ICT professionals with strong industry experience but no undergraduate degree, and graduates with undergraduate degrees in different areas may be granted access to the course on either a full-time or part-time basis, subject to completing three foundational modules prior to entry.

The UM currently offers several MSc programmes through the FICT that are specifically focused on AI or related topics (including Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Big Data, Data Science and Fintech, to name a few).

MSc degree programmes such as those offered by the Faculty of Engineering through the Department of Systems & Control Engineering focus on the use of AI within engineering and industrial contexts.

Over time it is becoming also quite common to find dissertations from across UM that in some way or other focus on AI in relation to other areas such as law, regulatory frameworks, finance, gaming and transportation.

Through the full-time MSc in AI with placement, the student has the possibility to work on some AI-related tasks that are of interest to the company and within the company’s environment. Agreements between the UM and the relevant companies are set up to establish the parameters of the placement including the duties and responsibilities of the company (such as mentorship of the student) and those of the UM (including things such as supervision).

On the other hand, the general full-time MSc has this year attracted several students whose dissertation is specifically focused on AI.

The part-time MSc in AI has been on offer since 2016/2017 and has attracted an average of 25 students per year. The structure of this MSc is very flexible and consists of a set of core units that include Machine Learning (and Deep Learning) and the students can then choose to follow study units from several streams.

These include the Big Data, Computer Vision, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Fintech, and Geosciences streams. Streams however do not strait-jacket students into taking units from a particular stream. In preparation for the MSc in AI, the UM offers preparatory study units depending on the needs of the students. The AI Bootcamp unit (described earlier) is intended as a refresher of important theoretical and fundamental topics in AI for those professionals that have obtained their undergraduate qualification a while back and will therefore serve as a stepping stone into the MSc.

On the other hand, students that want to pursue the MSc in AI degree but have an Honours undergraduate degree that is not related to an ICT area, have to first successfully complete at least three individual study units before enrolling in the MSc. Through these units, the students are exposed to machine learning and programming which are fundamental for progressing in the MSc.

Individuals that are not interested in pursuing a complete degree even though they have the necessary requirements, have the possibility to register and get accreditation for short courses (individual study units) that are offered as part of the MSc programme. It is also possible for a student that has successfully passed through six individual units (total of 30 ECTS) over a period of years to then register for the dissertation unit and still manage to successfully obtain the MSc.

Legal & Ethical

The ‘ethical and legal’ strategic enabler establishes the world’s first national AI certification programme to provide a platform to practitioners and companies that wish to showcase ethically aligned, transparent and socially responsible AI solutions, building on Malta’s Ethical AI Framework Towards Trustworthy AI. It makes provision for the formation of a Technology Regulation Advisory Committee to advise on laws and regulation in respect to AI matters and the creation of regulatory and data sandboxes.

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

The purpose of the Malta Ethical AI Framework is to establish a set of guiding principles and trustworthy AI governance and control practices that can serve as the foundation for the design and implementation of these broader constructs.

Malta intends to continue its strong tradition of being an innovator and first mover in the space of innovative technologies. It is therefore in the process of creating the world’s first national AI certification programme, which is expected to launch in October 2019. The certification process will largely be based on Malta’s Ethical AI Framework and provide applicants with valuable recognition in the marketplace that their AI systems have been developed in an ethically aligned, transparent and socially responsible manner. The ambition is to create the right frameworks to help trustworthy AI springboard from Malta to the world, in line with Malta’s vision to become the Ultimate AI Launchpad.

The Government is developing the Malta Ethical AI Framework as it understands that for Malta to become the Ultimate AI Launchpad, the country needs to create a regulatory and innovation ecosystem that promotes the design and operation of trustworthy AI.

In developing the Malta Ethical AI Framework, the Government had the following four (4) objectives:

Build on a human-centric approach.
Respect for all applicable laws and regulations, human rights, and democratic values.
Maximise the benefits of AI systems while preventing and minimising their risks.
Align with emerging international standards and norms around AI ethics.

The Government recognises that developing trustworthy AI is a complex task that will require the Ethical AI Framework to intersect with various policy initiatives including investments in tools and continuous monitoring mechanisms, skills and capabilities, innovation ecosystem and regulatory mechanisms.

A National Technology Ethics Committee will be set up under Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) to oversee the Ethical AI Framework and its intersection across these areas.

https://malta.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Malta_Towards_Ethical_and_Trustworthy_AI.pdf

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

Technology Assurance Sandbox (TAS)

A technological sandbox is an innovative concept which provides a safe environment for individuals or companies developing solutions based on Innovative Technologies such as Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence or solutions deployed in critical environments, to enable the correct nurturing of such solutions in line with recognised standards. Alignment in the early phases of deployment proves to be cheaper than rectification in a post-development stage.

The MDIA-TAS is specifically designed to cater for start-ups, smaller players or any other entity seeking the correct development of their IDPS, through a process that consists of a number of Technical Soundness Reviews conducted by MDIA-recognised Technical Experts and is monitored by the Authority. This process supports the Applicant in identifying technological gaps, to be in conformance with the resident-identified Control Objectives and is intended to provide further confidence to stakeholders, such as investors, developers, users, and the public.

Technical Soundness Reviews would focus on functional correctness and reliability and robustness of the IDPS and the underlying operational processes in line with industry standards and best practices. The maximum permitted Sandbox Residency period is of four (4) years. The Sandbox is not intended to serve as a certification scheme.

Sandbox residency allows for gradual technology assessment, deployment of technology, and oversight. Based on the principle of proportionality, scaling with the level of technological risk.

Forming part of the MDIA-TAS brings about a number of advantages to the applicant:

It allows the development of the solution in line with predefined control objectives aligned with international standards, thus avoiding reducing the risk failure which would adversely affect users.
It provides technological assurance to investors and end users, providing certainty in the functional correctness and dependability of such technologies and the underlying operational processes, thus making the solution a notch more attractive.
Provides legal and regulatory certainty even in line with developing EU regulations in technological camps;
Provides a competitive edge to competing solutions.
Ensures that following sandbox residency, MDIA certification process is seamless.

https://mdia.gov.mt/app/uploads/2022/11/MDIA-Technology-Assurance-Sandbox-TAS-Programme-Guidelines.pdf

Technology Assurance Assessment Framework (TAAF)

The Technology Assurance Assessment (TAAF) Framework by MDIA is a tiered framework designed to provide varying degrees of technological assurances for a wide range of technologies, from emerging to traditional, aligning with international standards and industry best practices.

TAAF is scalable, allowing seamless integration of new technologies. It is targeted towards owners or operators of technology solutions, who want to assess and obtain recognition for their technology-related controls.

TAAF’s Official Recognition aims to provide varying degrees of confidence for stakeholders like Lead Authorities, investors, developers, suppliers, end-users, and the public. The framework is flexible, allowing applicants to choose what they want to be assessed against, with different assessment levels building on each other for higher trust levels.

https://www.mdia.gov.mt/certification/taaf-technology-assurance-assessment-framework/

Ecosystem Infrastructure

The ‘ecosystem infrastructure’ strategic enabler lays out investments in tools to enable Maltese Language AI solutions, initiatives to support data availability and actions to mitigate cybersecurity risks and facilitate cost-effective access to high-performance compute capability among other measures designed to create the underlying infrastructure to support a thriving AI ecosystem.

Ownership: University of Malta (UM)

Summary of Action Point

The investment will enable computers to be able to process, understand and generate Maltese text and speech, and AI solutions to be developed and accessible in both of Malta’s national languages and become a part of everyday life.

Ownership: Planning Authority

Summary of Action Point

SEnsorneT

The PA prepared a proposal for an EU-funded project entitled SEnsorneT which amongst other initiatives aims to create a network of physical multi-domain sensors and enable a real-time stream of information that is integrated allowing for analysis of multi-thematic spatial data integrative initiatives. The project will morph the data into information structures that will come together to enable an intelligent output enabling policymaking and decision-taking for instant and predictive modes.

The intention is to submit this proposal as part of the Operational Programme for ERDF 2021-2027.

The scope will enable the Government of Malta and its public-service and public-sector entities to share, consolidate and integrate data-to-information systems and carry out real-time, quasi-real-time, and strategic outputs based on Governmental data, AI and digitalisation initiatives. It should be noted that the SEnsorneT project was not specifically mentioned in the public consultation draft of the Operational Programme 2021-2027.

INSPIRE

The INSPIRE Directive, establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in Europe to support Community environmental policies, and policies or activities which may have an impact on the environment entered into force in May 2007.

INSPIRE is based on the infrastructures for spatial information established and operated by the Member States of the European Union. The Directive addresses 34 spatial data themes needed for environmental applications, with key components specified through technical implementing rules. This makes INSPIRE a unique example of a legislative ‘regional’ approach.

INSPIRE, formally known as European Directive 2007/2/EC, establishes an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Union.

The Directive was transposed into Maltese legislation by Legal Notice 185 of 2013 under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549).

In 2021, the Planning Authority was designated as the competent Authority in terms of the implementation of the Directive and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in Malta.

Environmental related geospatial datasets are made available by the respective data owners on the NSDI portal, enabling the tapping of this data for further analyses including AI driven ones.

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

Malta joins the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), a joint initiative between the EU, European countries, and private partners that pools resources to develop a world-class supercomputing ecosystem in Europe.

Malta, formally an Observer on the EuroHPC JU Governing, will now be a full Member, alongside the other 32 Participating States.

Malta AI Strategy is built on three strategic pillars:

Investment, start-ups, and innovation
Public sector adoption
Private sector adoption.

European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) project will be addressing all three strategic pillars and directly interlinks with the two strategic enablers which are common across all pillars:

Education and Workforce: A specialised unit within the proposed Malta-EDIH will focus on digital literacy and skills
Ecosystem infrastructure: The set-up at Malta-EDIH will facilitate access to technology via the setting up of a ‘High-Tech Workspace’. The services by Malta-EDIH will be open for all SMEs, small mid-caps and public entities from all sectors.

EDIH was launched in March 2023 with a kick-off conference. Works are in progress to finish first the floor within MDIA premises, and actions taken are constantly in line with EU established deliverables and milestones, which are the base of the Hub’s operation.

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

AI Technology Roadmap proposes a variety of actions that the MDIA will be involved in. These actions are aimed at building and strengthening the national infrastructure in relation to requirements borne out of the implementation of the National AI Strategy. This roadmap was developed following an in-depth analysis of the goal laid down in the National AI Strategy, which looked at how each of the goal impacts or is impacted by specific aspects of the national infrastructure (such as data available and network connectivity but also start-up ecosystems and research institutes). Among these projects there was a proposal and study involved regarding the decision to set-up the Malta Digital Innovation Hub equipped with HPC. The project proposed, led by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, foresees the setting up of a single EDIH in Malta titled Malta- EDIH. In line with the call for proposals for the EDIHs, the Malta-EDIH aims at providing the complete set of services of an EDIH on an open, transparent and non-discriminatory basis and targeted towards SMEs, small midcaps and public sector organisations. Malta joins the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), a joint initiative between the EU, European countries and private partners that pools resources to develop a world-class supercomputing ecosystem in Europe. Malta, formally an Observer on the EuroHPC JU Governing, will now be a full Member, along side the other 32 Participating States.

Malta AI Strategy is built on three strategic pillars:

Investment, start-ups and innovation
Public sector adoption
Private sector adoption

The European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) project will be addressing all three strategic pillars and directly interlinks with the two strategic enablers which are common across all pillars:

Education and Workforce: A specialised unit within the proposed Malta-EDIH will focus on digital literacy and skills
Ecosystem infrastructure: The set-up at Malta-EDIH will facilitate access to technology via the setting up of a ‘High-Tech Workspace’. The services by Malta-EDIH will be open for all SMEs, small mid-caps and public entities from all sectors.

The EU has agreed the funding for the project under the Digital Europe Programme under the guidance of the European Commission, following the consent of the Ministry for Finance and Employment (MFIN), the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands (MEEL) and cabinet, and following a national appeal. Malta is rated 127th out of 225 nations with the EDIH initiative. EDIH was launched in March 2023 with kick-off conference. Works are in progress to finish the first floor within MDIA premises, and actions taken are constantly in line with EU established deliverables and milestones, which are the base of the Hub’s operation.

Malta AI Strategy & Vision 2030

Investment, Start-ups and Innovation

1. AI Applied Research Grant (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

This Grant aims to encourage:

In terms of rationale and scope, this Grant is aligned with several of the goals of the Malta AI Strategy including:

The projects which were awarded

2. Establishing the right conditions for Malta to become a leading centre for the application of AI solutions (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

Malta AI Strategy is built on three strategic pillars:

The European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) project will be addressing all three strategic pillars and directly interlinks with the two strategic enablers which are common across all pillars:

3. Placing the development of new emerging technological sectors such as AI as a national Priority (Tech.mt)

Ownership: Tech.mt

Summary of Action Point

4. Patent Box Regime (Malta Enterprise)

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

5. Increasing in R&D activity in Malta (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

6. R&I Fusion Programme (MCST)

Ownership: Malta Council of Science and Technology (MCST)

Summary of Action Point

7. Incentives for R&D and innovation activities in Malta (Malta Enterprise)

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

1. Investment Aid 2021

2. Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax)

3. Research and Development 2020

4. Exploring Research Grant Scheme

8. Legal notice (IDPC)

Ownership: Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC)

Summary of Action Point

9. Supporting entrepreneurs to establish AI-related business ventures and scales (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

10. YouStartIT (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

11. TAKEOFF Seed Fund Award (TOFSA). (MDIA / UM / MEEL)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), University of Malta, Ministry of Economy, European Funds and Lands (MEEL)

Summary of Action Point

12. Supporting entrepreneurs to establish AI-related business ventures and scales (Malta Government Venture Capital Limited)

Ownership: Malta Government Venture Capital Limited

Summary of Action Point

13. Supporting entrepreneurs to establish AI-related business ventures and scales (Malta Government Venture Capital Limited)

Ownership: Malta Government Venture Capital Limited

Summary of Action Point

14. Incentives schemes of Malta Enterprise. (Malta Enterprise)

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

1. Business Start 2021

2. Start Up Finance 2020

15. A change to Malta’s tax legislation to reduce/eliminate capital gains and duty on document on the transfer of shares.

16. ‘Start-up’ visa (Malta Enterprise)

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

17. Qualifying employment in Innovation and Creativity (Malta Enterprise)

Ownership: Malta Enterprise

Summary of Action Point

Public Sector Adoption

18. Creating an AI-powered Government

19. Awareness campaign for Public officers

20. AI training courses (Institute for the Public Service)

Ownership: Institute for the Public Services

Summary of Action Point

21. AI in Public administration

22. Government AI Readiness Index (MDIA)

Ownership: Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Summary of Action Point

23. Encouraging the procurement of smart technologies

24. Pilot projects - AI for traffic management (TM)

Ownership: Transport Authority (TM)

Summary of Action Point

This project will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be incorporated into Malta’s Traffic Control Systems (Traffic Lights) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to:

This pilot project shall support the citizen in:

25. Pilot projects - AI for Education (MEYR)

Ownership: Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation (MEYR)