Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537913
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JULY 2025 COMMERCIAL Empowering Public Service: The introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot within the public sector THE Government of Malta, through MITA, is spearheading a transformative digital initia- tive that places Malta at the fore- front of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the public ad- ministration sector. This ambi- tious project is part of a broader strategy to modernise the public sector and enhance the efficien- cy and effectiveness of govern- ment services. The introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-driven assistant embedded in MS Office applications, is poised to transform the way govern- ment employees work, collabo- rate, and deliver services to the public. This initiative supports the national strategy Malta Vi- sion 2050, which seeks to estab- lish Malta as a European leader in digital governance. Through the leveraging of cutting-edge AI technology, the government seeks to improve productivity, reduce administrative burdens, and provide better services to its citizens. The project goes be- yond technology, incorporating substantial investment in train- ing and development to ensure public officers are fully prepared to use these new tools effective- ly. As announced by the Prime Minister Robert Abela during the Public Service Expo, a €4 mil- lion investment will rollout Mi- crosoft 365 Copilot to over eight thousand public officers over the next two years. This initia- tive highlights the government's commitment to innovation and its dedication to cultivating a culture of continuous improve- ment within the public sector. The adoption of AI tools is antic- ipated to significantly enhance public administration processes and the digital channels through which services are delivered to citizens and businesses. Another significant milestone is the integration of the Maltese language into the Microsoft 365 Copilot. Through a close col- laboration between MITA and Microsoft, users can now engage with Copilot in Maltese across all core applications. This ad- vancement boosts accessibility and productivity while reinforc- ing the cultural and linguistic identity of Malta's public sector workforce. Additionally, MITA is spearheading the deployment, governance, and training efforts necessary for the success of this ambitious project. A dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) is be- ing established to promote best practices, ensure compliance with both EU and national leg- islation, and foster collaboration across all government entities. Training is a fundamental pil- lar of this initiative. In collabo- ration with Microsoft and the Institute for the Public Services, MITA has already started de- livering Microsoft 365 Copilot Fundamentals sessions to var- ious government clusters. The objective is to equip every public officer with the knowledge and skills necessary to fully leverage this technology. This targeted rollout is a key component of Malta's wider digital transfor- mation strategy, ensuring that AI-powered productivity tools are implemented where they can deliver the most immediate and measurable benefits. The de- ployment of Microsoft 365 Co- pilot serves as a strong example of how technology can enhance governance, empower employ- ees, and improve public service delivery. It reflects Malta's ded- ication to pioneering innovation and driving efficiency across the public sector. Mariano Debono