Photo by DOI’s Justin Mizzi
A ground-breaking initiative is underway in Malta to tackle labour shortages in the construction and manufacturing sectors through the use of mixed reality and artificial intelligence.
The project, named M.AI.ESTRO — an acronym for Mixed-Reality AI-Enhanced Skills Transfer & Robotic Optimisation — is being spearheaded by the University of Malta and is still in its early development phase.
By integrating digital and physical environments, mixed reality is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in both industrial operations and educational contexts. This project aims to harness that potential to streamline the transfer of specialist skills and modernise workforce training.
The initiative was officially introduced by Parliamentary Secretary for Research and Innovation, Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, during a visit to Construct Furniture in Luqa. He highlighted the government’s commitment to using innovation to drive job quality and maintain Malta’s competitive edge globally.
“This project not only confronts a pressing workforce challenge but also transforms how we approach employee training,” Azzopardi Tanti stated.
M.AI.ESTRO is aligned with the broader national development framework known as Malta Vision 2050, and it will unfold over the next three years with an investment exceeding €100,000.
Leading the project is Professor Alexei Dingli from the University’s Faculty of ICT. He believes the integration of AI and immersive technology could redefine the employment landscape.
“The world of work is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements,” said Prof. Dingli. “If we succeed, we could establish a model for other manufacturers to follow.”
In its initial phase, the system will capture expert workers performing tasks using augmented reality. These recordings will then be processed through imitation learning, a method in which AI systems learn by observing and mimicking human behaviour. The ultimate goal is not only to replicate these tasks but to identify ways to improve efficiency.
Eventually, new workers will be trained through this intelligent system, gaining hands-on experience virtually — without the need for direct interaction with heavy or complex machinery.
