Anguilla: Tropical island with .ai domain

Due to the growing interest in AI worldwide and the popularity of domain names ending in “.ai,” Anguilla is expected to make millions of dollars this year. The tropical British territory of Anguilla is well known for its white sand beaches and coral reefs. However, it has also assigned internet addresses that end in .ai to individuals and businesses looking to register websites since the 1990s. While it used to be one of many country-specific domain names and is often overlooked, it has recently gained significant attention.

Various AI startups like Stability.ai, Elon Musk’s X.ai, and Character.ai have acquired the .ai domain name assigned to the islands and cays of Anguilla. Even tech giants like Google and Facebook have their own .ai web addresses, directing visitors to their AI-focused pages. This has resulted in the total number of registrations for .ai websites doubling in the past year to 287,432. According to Vince Cate, who has managed the .ai domain for Anguilla for decades, the country is estimated to earn up to $30 million in domain registration fees by 2023. While the demand for .ai websites has gradually increased in recent years, the sudden spike nine months ago indicates the overall frenzy surrounding AI and its impact on the global economy.

With the launch of ChatGPT, more tech companies are striving to raise billions in capital, attract engineering talent, and secure scarce but powerful chips. While a domain may not seem essential, it holds significant value for an industry focused on creative branding. Cate mentioned that things have changed significantly since 30 November, referring to the date when ChatGPT became publicly available.