Malta launches public consultation on artificial intelligence policy

VALLETTA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A public consultation on Malta's new artificial intelligence (AI) policy was launched here on Thursday.

The first detAIls of the draft policy were announced during a workshop organised by Malta.AI, a taskforce set up by the government to plot the way forward in the field.

Addressing the workshop, Silvio Schembri, parliamentary secretary for digital economy and innovation, sAId Malta wanted to be the jurisdiction of choice for companies looking to develop or test AI and other innovative technologies.

"Our ambition is to create the conditions for AI to a springboard from Malta to the world," Schembri sAId.

"The Maltese government is committed to help companies that invest in and serve Malta not only to establish their business but to commercialise and scale up using public policy," he sAId.

The policy document proposes that Malta's AI strategy be based on three pillars: investment, startups and innovation; the public sector's adoption of such technologies; and private sector adoption.

Schembri sAId that the government expected to make Malta's AI sector more visible through local startup activity.

On the adoption of such technologies by the public sector, Schembri sAId that the government wanted to take the lead in showcasing the benefits of AI technology when applied to providing better services for citizens and businesses.

AI, he sAId, could also improve the economic and social wellbeing of Malta, as well as enhance the internal operations of the public service sector.

"Our AIm is to create an AI-powered government and to do so we'll assess a number of use cases for public sector applications. These AI use cases will be clearly defined and then assessed agAInst criteria that will consider operational, economic, financial, legal and regulatory aspects, with a view to identifying the projects that can generate the biggest local impact," Schembri sAId. Enditem