Morning Briefing
Nearly half say their neighbourhood has deteriorated, housing study finds
Almost half of residents believe their neighbourhood has deteriorated in recent years, with parking shortages and construction activity emerging as the biggest sources of frustration, according to a Housing Authority study. The survey of 801 people, carried out between October 2025 and February 2026, found that more than 40% believe their locality has changed for the worse, while fewer than one in 10 said it had improved. Adults aged between 25 and 54 were the most critical, with 46% saying their neighbourhood had declined. Parking was by far the most commonly cited problem, with almost four in five respondents highlighting the lack of available spaces. Construction activity and noise followed, with just under half identifying them as major concerns. Others pointed to a shortage of open spaces and poor pedestrian infrastructure. Despite these issues, overall satisfaction with homes and neighbourhoods remains relatively high, particularly among older residents. However, researchers also identified a mismatch in housing needs, with many younger people living in homes that are too small, while more than a quarter of elderly respondents said their homes are now larger than they require.(Times of Malta)
Government sets up AI council as Malta leads EU in generative AI use
The government has established an Artificial Intelligence Governance Council to oversee its expanding portfolio of AI initiatives and ensure they are aligned with national priorities and European rules. The council will be chaired by the chief AI officer and supported by the Artificial Intelligence Governance Unit. According to the government, it will coordinate AI projects across the public sector, ensure compliance with the EU AI Act and avoid duplication of work between entities. The announcement comes as Malta continues to lead the European Union in the use of generative artificial intelligence. A recent Eurobarometer survey found that 38% of Maltese use generative AI every day in their personal lives, almost double the EU average of 20%. The government said the new council will provide strategic oversight of AI implementation while helping create new opportunities through the technology and improving public services. It is expected to bring together key stakeholders to develop a coordinated national approach as AI adoption accelerates across government. (Maltatoday)
Business confidence weakens as 64% say Malta is on the wrong track
Almost two-thirds of small businesses believe Malta is moving in the wrong direction, while more than half are uncertain whether now is the right time to invest, according to the latest SME Barometer published by the Chamber of SMEs and MISCO Malta. The survey found that 64% of businesses believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, compared with 36% who believe it is on the right path. More than half of respondents said they were unsure about investing over the next 12 months, while only around one in five considered it a good time to do so. Employee shortages remain the biggest challenge, affecting almost four in 10 businesses, followed by concerns over unfair competition and weak enforcement of regulations. Inflation and delays in processing Third Country National visa applications also increased as business concerns. When asked about government priorities, businesses ranked overpopulation as the most pressing issue, while concern over quality of life and the ease of doing business also rose significantly. The survey was based on responses from 402 businesses collected during July 2026. (The Malta Independent)
