Malta Strengthens Its AI Strategy with First Chief AI Officer Appointment

Malta’s public administration has entered a new chapter in its digital journey with the official appointment of its first Chief AI Officer — a move that signals a more structured and strategic approach to artificial intelligence across government.

The Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary confirmed that Jonathan Gerada has been appointed to the role, which was first introduced in October as part of the country’s wider digital transformation agenda.

Building on Experience and Digital Leadership

Gerada brings over 20 years of experience in information technology and related fields, with a strong focus on digital transformation, governance, and emerging technologies. Having served 14 years within the public service — including 10 as Chief Information Officer — he has played a key role in shaping ICT strategies and leading projects connected to AI and Big Data. The scope of how AI is already being applied across Malta’s government and public services gives a sense of the portfolio this role will oversee.

His appointment suggests continuity, but also evolution: moving from digital infrastructure development to structured AI implementation and governance.

For organisations watching this shift closely, it reinforces an important reality — AI is no longer experimental. It requires leadership, oversight, and long-term strategy.

This is exactly where structured AI advisory and implementation partners become essential. At Neural AI, we are already working with Maltese organisations to move from “AI interest” to practical, compliant, and measurable AI solutions.

Why This Role Matters

The Chief AI Officer will coordinate public-sector AI initiatives, strengthen internal governance structures, and ensure responsible deployment of artificial intelligence across departments.

When the role was first announced, Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana emphasised that achieving a truly digital government requires going beyond maintaining systems — it demands leadership and legacy-building.

That message mirrors what we consistently see in the private sector: AI adoption without governance creates risk; AI adoption with strategy creates competitive advantage. For a deeper look at how AI is being applied across Malta’s government and public services, from citizen service automation to policy analytics, the opportunity set is already substantial.

If your organisation is exploring AI but unsure how to structure it responsibly — from custom GPT development to AI governance frameworks — now is the time to start that conversation. Predictive analytics and machine learning capabilities are increasingly forming the backbone of government and enterprise AI roadmaps alike.

A National Push Toward AI Adoption

The appointment also comes amid broader government initiatives to increase AI awareness and adoption. In last year’s Budget speech, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced that individuals completing AI courses would receive a complimentary subscription to an AI platform such as ChatGPT or Gemini — part of Malta’s commitment to making AI accessible to everyone.

The message is clear: AI literacy and implementation are national priorities.

As AI becomes more embedded in both public and private sectors, the real differentiator will not be whether organisations use AI — but how intelligently and responsibly they implement it. Malta’s broader ambition is outlined in its AI 2030 national roadmap, which sets out targets for workforce development, investment attraction, and public sector digitisation.

From Policy to Practical Application

With the expected launch of an AI Governance Group involving stakeholders from multiple sectors, Malta appears to be building both policy and operational frameworks for AI integration — a trajectory reinforced by its membership of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.

For businesses, this presents both opportunity and urgency.

If you’re considering:

• Custom-built GPT solutions tailored to your organisation
• AI-powered customer support or chatbots in Maltese and English
• Computer vision or automation projects
• Data-driven dashboards and predictive modelling

It may be the right moment to assess how prepared your organisation is for structured AI adoption.

Neural AI works closely with companies and public entities to design tailor-made AI systems that align with compliance, scalability, and long-term strategic goals — not just short-term experimentation.

Thinking About Your AI Roadmap?

Malta’s public sector is formalising its AI leadership. The question is: is your organisation doing the same?

If you’d like to explore how AI can be implemented responsibly and strategically within your business, reach out to the Neural AI team — we’re always open to discussing practical next steps.