Mission Statement
To ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the Maltese Public Administration is adopted lawfully, governed coherently and used responsibly in the public interest. The AI Governance Council shall provide the strategic direction and oversight required to align AI initiatives with National and European governance models, improve the delivery of public services, support the effective use of public resources, maintaining transparency, accountability and public trust.
Background
The Artificial Intelligence Governance Council (AIGC) is the central cross-government body responsible for the strategic oversight of AI within the Public Administration. It was established by the Principal Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister and announced on 30 July 2026. The Council is chaired by the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO).
The Council operates within the framework set by the EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), the Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act (Chapter 591) and its subsidiary legislation, the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and the Data Protection Act (Chapter 586), of the laws of Malta.
The Council coordinates with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), the Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC), and other competent and supervisory authorities, while working with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA), Government’s central ICT partner responsible for providing ICT infrastructure, systems and services.
Council Functions
The principal functions of the Artificial Intelligence Governance Council include:
- To oversee the governance and compliance of Public Administration AI systems in relation to the EU AI Act and related national requirements, while acting as the central point of coordination with the MDIA, the IDPC and other national and European counterparts, without prejudice to the statutory functions of the competent authorities.
- To maintain central visibility of AI systems in operation and of emerging opportunities across the Public Administration, through the AI Systems Register and the AI Opportunity Register.
- To review and prioritise AI initiatives submitted by ministries, departments, agencies and entities, assessing their public benefit, alignment with national priorities and relevance to emerging opportunities.
- To adopt standards, control requirements and guidance on the development, procurement, deployment and oversight of AI systems, and to reduce fragmentation and duplication by promoting shared infrastructure, common architectural approaches and reusable capabilities across Public Administration.
- To establish ethical standards for public sector AI and to facilitate the review of sensitive or high-impact systems.
- To strengthen AI literacy, institutional capability and responsible innovation across the Public Administration.
Council Members
The Council is composed of members appointed by the Principal Permanent Secretary and drawn from areas of the Public Administration that have a significant role in the adoption and governance of AI. Collectively, they provide strategic, legal, technical, data, procurement expertise, along with financial and operational perspectives.
The Council may be supported by permanent advisers and may invite subject-matter experts where specialist knowledge is required to consider a particular system, initiative or policy matter.
The Artificial Intelligence Governance Unit (AIGU) supports the Council as its executive support function, maintaining its registers and formal records and providing the analysis, administration and coordination required for the Council to carry out its work.
Contact Us
All communications concerning AI governance, policy, initiatives, projects and related matters within the Public Administration should be directed to the Artificial Intelligence Governance Unit (AIGU).