The policy envisaged for artificial intelligence in Malta will ensure the technologies be ethically aligned, transparent, and socially responsible, Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri said on Thursday.
Speaking at Artificial Intelligence in Gaming Conference at the Microsoft Innovation Centre, the Parliamentary Secretary ensured that the strategy will be developed in such a way as to determine how this technology can be used to further improve the services given to our citizens.
As Schembri noted in his speech, two decisions made by this administration pushed the country towards a focus on digital innovation within the realm of distributed ledger technology and artificial intelligence.
Last July, the Malta Gaming Authority implemented the first phase of the sandbox framework for the acceptance of virtual financial assets, and also the use of distributed ledger technology within the gaming industry.
Also, later on in the year, Schembri announced Malta’s vision on Artificial intelligence, and that the country will be discovering its potential within the industry of artificial intelligence to further bring about economic growth within the field of digital innovation in Malta.
“Our next target now is to position Malta amongst the top 10 counties in the world with an Artificial intelligence policy.
This vision prioritizes the importance of discussions on the subject, providing an environment within which stakeholders are able to build awareness on key issues within the industry.”
A noted milestone was positioning Malta as the Blockchain Island, he explained, by being the first country in the world to offer a regulatory environment for these products and services through the enactment of virtual financial asset act and regulations issued by the Malta financial services authority.
“In some cases, innovation may lead to controversy and uncertainty, but one should consider that some of the controversies have created the greatest changes that affects our lives.”
The goal of the Malta.AI taskforce, made up of entrepreneurs, academics, and experts within the field, is to devise a holistic approach towards this industry, to eventually inform a national A.I. framework.
Work is also being done to understand how A.I. can be applied by government to further improve services given to the citizens.
“This is the start of another chapter for Malta, and Malta’s vision to become a powerhouse of economic innovation.
Artificial intelligence and gaming can form a perfect fusion, whereby technology is used to foster the safeguarding of citizens, whilst enhancing player experience and operators’ reputations.”
A workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to be held on 21 March with an aim of providing further details as well as present the outcomes of some of the discussions the Malta.AI Taskforce has had so far following its launch.
“The public consultation workshop by the Malta.AI Taskforce will provide a better picture of where the strategy is heading and which are the identified pillars that will be focused upon”, Schembri explained, while extending the invitation to all experts and interested parties to be part of this public consultation and put forward their view, and together formulate a long-term strategy for Artificial Intelligence.