WATCH: Microsoft To Help Turn Malta Into A ‘Digital Island’
Microsoft has announced it will provide digital expertise to the Maltese government in its plan to transform the country into a “digital island”.
Microsoft and the government signed a memorandum of understanding at Castille today, in a deal which will see Microsoft lend its expertise to the Maltese teams working on implementing its digital strategy. Through this strategy, Malta intends to improve public e-services, promote digital literacy and promote disruptive technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence amongst local businesses.
“Humanity is at an interesting time in history and stands on the cusp of a new era for technology that many are describing as the fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Peggy Antonakou, Microsoft’s general manager for Malta. Cyprus and Greece. “New disruptive technologies come with signficant tests that we must acknowledge by regulating ethically, by protecting data privacy and security and by providing people with the skills and support to succeed in the future. We are committed to ensuring these empowering technologies are implemented in a responsible way through which everyone will benefit.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat hailed this deal as the next step in Malta’s vision to embrace become a truly ‘digital island’ and embrace new disruptive technologies.
“Increasing efficiency in e-government will allow citizens to access information faster and more transparently and improving digital literacy will allow businesses to benefiit from a wider pool of human resources,” he said. “There is no doubt that the way forward is digital and there can only be positives in improving citizens’ digital literacy.”
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