Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1173510
3 Malta as epicentre of technological innovation Silvio Schembri Silvio Schembri is Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation "INNOVATION distinguishes 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. To- day, our island, despite its diminutive size, has become a renowned hotbed for technological innovation and a cutting-edge haven for hi-tech creativi- ty, placing Malta as a trailblazing leader which has conquered new, previously unexplored frontiers within this revo- lutionary field. How far we have come is testament to this government's political determi- nation to courageously embrace and adapt to this new digital reality. How- ever, 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 re- garded them as uncharted waters, ren- dering Malta as an easier jurisdiction to operate within, as well as enhancing its attractiveness for prospective opera- tors. 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, consumer protec- tion 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 interna- tional stage. Notwithstanding the great strides we have made within the technological sphere, we have sought, as a Govern- ment, to continue with our commit- ment to grow and sustain our fledgling digital economy. In such a rapid- ly-evolving scenario, complacency sounds the death-knell of success and therefore it is critical that we continu- ally cast our sights even further afield. We have now taken another huge leap forward – Artificial Intelligence; one of the most disruptive technologies impacting industry and business to- day, with the vast potential of dramat- ically 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 Artifi- cial Intelligence. A holistic strategy that considers for ethically aligned, transparent and socially responsible AI, identifying policy, regulatory and fiscal measures to strengthen Malta's appeal as a hub for foreign investment in this sector, while recognising the underlying skill base and infrastruc- ture needed to support AI. Our vision is to position Malta as the ultimate 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 citi- zens. But again, resting on our laurels 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 lucra- tive sector which will not only provide a myriad of tangible opportunities in the ICT and the digital arts' sector but will go a long way in attracting local and international Esports organisa- tions, ultimately providing unprece- dented global exposure 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 Summit Tech Week, is a prime exam- ple of our efforts. Serving as an ideal platform in our effort to reach out to the public, Playcon will not only showcase games and esports but it will also include educational related ini- tiatives aimed to inform and educate school children, youths and adults about these new emergent industries. This year's bigger and better edi- tion of the DELTA Summit, 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 providers, 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 inno- vation strategies. Establishing itself as the most important date in the annual tech calendar, DELTA Summit is an unmissable platform for experts, innovators and practitioners, wanting to take advantage of multiple layers of business opportunity, exposure, industry learnings and advancement. However, as a Government we cannot but emphasise the importance of our human capital; the main pillar and propeller 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 opportunity 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 tomorrow generations. 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