In a strategic move to enhance operational efficiency across the Maltese public sector, Prime Minister Robert Abela has formally announced the deployment of Microsoft Copilot—an advanced artificial intelligence tool—across the public service. The initiative was unveiled during the third edition of the Public Service Expo at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali.
“Our Public Service must evolve in line with the dynamic realities of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow,” stated Dr. Abela. Over the coming two years, approximately 8,000 public officers will gain full access to Microsoft Copilot, a productivity-focused AI application integrated directly into their Microsoft 365 suite. The rollout will include comprehensive training to ensure personnel are fully equipped to leverage the tool’s capabilities, which include synthesising online data with internal content to generate context-aware, real-time assistance.
This investment aligns with the broader Vision Malta 2050 framework, a national strategy to modernise digital infrastructure and elevate public service delivery. According to the Prime Minister, this initiative positions Malta as a pioneering European administration in AI adoption at both scale and depth.
Further supporting this transformation is the establishment of a new Centre of Excellence, developed through a tripartite partnership between Microsoft, the Government of Malta, and MITA. This centre is intended to serve as a nucleus of knowledge-sharing and innovation, underpinning Malta’s transition to an AI-augmented public service ecosystem.
Prime Minister Abela underscored that AI will not replace human roles, but rather enhance them, serving as a complementary tool to empower employees and elevate service quality. “This is about enabling our workforce to achieve more, not replacing them,” he affirmed.
He also lauded the unwavering commitment of civil servants, led by Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, in executing the government’s ambitious reform agenda. Referencing the 2023 collective agreement that improved pay and conditions for 33,000 public employees, Abela described it as a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to cultivating a high-performing and respected public administration.
Tony Sultana, Head of the Public Service, reinforced Malta’s reputation as a digital front-runner within the European Union, citing over €1 billion invested in technological infrastructure to date. He highlighted the transformative impact of AI, noting its potential to reduce task completion time significantly and simplify complex functions for non-technical staff. “We are entering a transformative era where artificial intelligence is redefining our approach to work,” Sultana remarked.
The Expo, which runs until Sunday, 25 May, carries the theme ‘Youth, their Future in the Public Service’. It features participation from all Ministries and public entities, offering a range of public-facing activities such as medical screenings, ID card renewals, information on national schemes, and live technology demonstrations.
At its core, the initiative seeks to demonstrate a forward-looking public service—one that is not only delivering services but also actively shaping a more agile, responsive, and citizen-centric future for Malta.