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OPINION 27 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 SEPTEMBER 2019 Malta as epicentre of technological innovation Silvio Schembri Silvio Schembri is Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation "INNOVATION distin- guishes between a leader and a follower" is a popular quote by the late, great Steve Jobs, and quite neatly sums up our country's journey within the digital sphere. Today, our island, despite its diminutive size, has become a renowned hotbed for technological in- novation and a cutting-edge haven for hi-tech creativity, placing Malta as a trailblazing leader which has conquered new, previously unexplored frontiers within this revolu- tionary field. How far we have come is testament to this govern- ment's political determination to courageously embrace and adapt to this new digital real- ity. However, as in every other instance, for any venture to bear fruit, it is imperative that this is supported and sustained by the necessary frameworks and infrastructure, without which it would collapse. It is to this end that we have enacted robust legislation that seeks to regulate distributed ledger technologies, at a time when several countries still regarded them as uncharted waters, rendering Malta as an easier jurisdiction to operate within, as well as enhancing its attractiveness for prospective operators. We can fairly say that through this legislation we have not only provided the all- vital legal assurance but have created regulation which can offer market integrity, con- sumer protection and financial stability, all without stifling innovation. In a nutshell, we took a holistic approach in regulating an industry which is as yet still largely unregulated, and which deservedly earned our country the appellation of 'The Blockchain Island' on the international stage. Notwithstanding the great strides we have made within the technological sphere, we have sought, as a Government, to continue with our com- mitment to grow and sustain our fledgling digital economy. In such a rapidly-evolving scenario, complacency sounds the death-knell of success and therefore it is critical that we continually cast our sights even further afield. We have now taken another huge leap forward – Artificial Intelli- gence; one of the most disrup- tive technologies impacting industry and business today, with the vast potential of dramatically changing life as we know it. Therefore, after successfully placing Malta at the forefront of Blockchain technology, we are now positioning Malta amongst the top 10 nations in the world with a strategy for Artificial Intelligence. A holistic strategy that considers for ethically aligned, transpar- ent and socially responsible AI, identifying policy, regula- tory and fiscal measures to strengthen Malta's appeal as a hub for foreign investment in this sector, while recognis- ing the underlying skill base and infrastructure needed to support AI. Our vision is to position Malta as the ulti- mate test-bed for AI related projects, whilst identifying sectors where AI could be beneficial, invariably bearing in mind the best interest of the end-consumer. Ultimately, our aim is to apprehend how AI can be implemented by the Government to better serve its citizens. But again, resting on our lau- rels is not an option, and it is now highly apparent that the time is ripe for us to explore the new, intriguing digital frontier of esports and video game development. A cutting- edge strategy has been devised for this most lucrative sector which will not only provide a myriad of tangible opportuni- ties in the ICT and the digital arts' sector but will go a long way in attracting local and international Esports organi- sations, ultimately providing unprecedented global expo- sure opportunities. Immediately following the launch of this strategy, we have sought ways to propel this industry's ecosystem further. Playcon, Malta's first Games Development and Esports Expo, to be launched as part of Malta DELTA Sum- mit Tech Week, is a prime example of our efforts. Serving as an ideal platform in our ef- fort to reach out to the public, Playcon will not only showcase games and esports but it will also include educational relat- ed initiatives aimed to inform and educate school children, youths and adults about these new emergent industries. This year's bigger and better edition of the DELTA Sum- mit, Malta's official platform for showcasing its pioneering initiatives and advances in the disruptive technology sector, is the ultimate culmination of all that we have achieved so far. Once again, the summit will attract the most forward- looking entrepreneurs, policy makers, investors, service pro- viders, regulators and thought leaders to the event, in order that DELTA Summit 2019 serves as a hub for meaningful connections and as the voice for the Maltese Government's digital innovation strategies. Establishing itself as the most important date in the annual tech calendar, DELTA Sum- mit is an unmissable platform for experts, innovators and practitioners, wanting to take advantage of multiple layers of business opportunity, expo- sure, industry learnings and advancement. However, as a Government we cannot but emphasise the importance of our human cap- ital; the main pillar and pro- peller of all innovation and it is to this end that we encourage all students who are about to embark on their career-path to grab this unique opportu- nity to discover the multitude of opportunities within the emergent technologies sector, which will be outlined at the DELTA Summit. At the end of the day, we can only sustain the unprecedented success of our digital economy through the talent and the innovative capabilities of Malta's tomor- row generations. While it has been a long and arduous journey to get here, one which despite many chal- lenges is satisfyingly bearing fruit, we can only look forward with optimism, towards a digi- tal future which will continue to benefit our economy, our country and most of all our people. While it has been a long and arduous journey to get here, one which despite many challenges is satisfyingly bearing fruit, we can only look forward with optimism, towards a digital future which will continue to benefit our economy, our country and most of all our people After successfully placing Malta at the forefront of Blockchain technology, we are now positioning Malta amongst the top 10 nations in the world with a strategy for Artificial Intelligence