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.

• The programme will start in May ⁠and is expected to scale up as more Maltese residents ​complete the ​course, which ​will be free.

• ‌It will also be open to Maltese citizens living abroad.

• “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.

• Malta is ​the ​first country to launch such a programme.

• The company did not ​disclose ‌the financial details of the ​deal.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Editing ​by Rosalba O’Brien)