A Eurobarometer survey has shown that the Maltese are the most open, compared to their European peers, to allowing teachers to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom.
The flash survey focusing on future needs in digital education showed that only 11% of Maltese feel that AI does not belong in the classroom – the lowest percentage in the European Union.
When asked for their position on the use of AI in education, 39% of Maltese respondents said that AI can improve teaching and learning and that “the education community should not be afraid to experiment with it.”
A further 47% meanwhile replied that AI can benefit and bring risks to teaching and learning, and that “the education community should assess and explore both.”
Only 11% said that AI does not belong in the classroom.
This is the lowest level of disagreement in the EU. Estonia comes close, with 12% disagreeing with the use of AI in the classroom, while the highest levels of disagreement were noted in France (28%), Ireland (27%), Belgium (26%), and Bulgaria (25%). The EU average for disagreement to this stood at 22%.
The survey also showed that a vast majority of people in Malta agree that schools should teach young people how to manage the impact of digital technologies, such as social media, on their mental and physical health.
The survey indicates that 95% of respondents in Malta support this approach, with only 5% disagreeing, showing broad public backing for the inclusion of digital wellbeing education in schools.
This strong consensus reflects widespread recognition among the Maltese public that digital tools, while offering many opportunities, also bring potential risks to students’ mental and physical health, which need to be addressed systematically through education.
Malta also demonstrates strong support for digital skills education more broadly.
According to the survey, 95% of respondents agree that digital skills should be taught to everyone in schools and universities, while 5% disagree.
Beyond the classroom, 96% of respondents in Malta agree that digital skills are essential for full participation in society, including accessing banking services, healthcare platforms, and community engagement opportunities.
This level of agreement positions Malta among the EU Member States with the highest levels of public support for digital skills, alongside countries such as Finland.
Generative AI represents another area where Maltese respondents express high levels of public backing.
The survey shows that 91% agree that digital skills are necessary to use AI tools safely and responsibly, with 7% disagreeing. Similarly, 92% of respondents agree that all teachers should be equipped with the skills to use and understand AI, including generative AI, while 7% disagree.
Digital literacy and safety, particularly regarding online disinformation, receive equally strong support. In Malta, 92% of respondents agree that digital skills help protect individuals from being misled by online misinformation, while 7% disagree. Support for teachers’ roles in this area is similarly high, with 93% agreeing that educators should be trained to help students recognize various forms of disinformation online, including AI-generated content, and 7% disagree.
These findings reflect a societal commitment to equipping students with critical thinking skills, enabling them to navigate the complex digital landscape and differentiate between reliable information and misleading or false content.
Teachers’ responsibilities in supporting safe technology use are further emphasized by the survey. In Malta, 93% of respondents agree that teachers should play a key role in helping children acquire the skills needed for safe interaction with digital tools, with 7% disagreeing. At the same time, 90% of respondents support the promotion of digital technologies specifically designed for learning, demonstrating public confidence in the educational potential of well-designed digital tools when implemented effectively.
Interestingly however, 72% of respondents agree that smartphones and other personal digital devices should be banned from classrooms, with 25% disagreeing and the remaining 3% having no opinion on the matter.
This is in line with the EU average, where 69% of respondents to this survey believe that personal digital devices should be banned from school.
Parents are also recognized as crucial partners in digital education. The survey shows that 95% of respondents in Malta agree that parents and families play a key role in teaching children how to use technology safely and responsibly, with 5% disagreeing.
Similarly, 96% of respondents agree that parents should receive guidance to support their children in developing the skills needed for safe technology use.
The survey also examined how the EU could best support successful digital education across member states.
In Malta, 62% of respondents identified the development of EU standards for the use of digital technology in education – covering areas such as data privacy and AI use in education – as the top priority. This is higher than the EU average of 49% who cited this need.
44% of local respondents also said that the EU should provide funding for equipment and infrastructure, including internet connections – again, 12 percentage points higher than the EU average of 36%.
46% of Maltese respondents also said that the EU should offer opportunities to help people improve their digital skills – 11, percentage points higher than the EU average of 35%.