Anguilla’s .ai domain is now a digital goldmine, earning over $100 million in 2024
The Caribbean territory is cashing in on the AI boom thanks to its country-code domain, .ai.
While most country-code domains were assigned in the 1990s for geographic use, Anguilla, a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, has become an unexpected tech powerhouse. Its domain .ai, originally meant to represent the island, now stands for artificial intelligence in the eyes of the global tech industry.
How much is Anguilla making from .ai?
According to government projections, Anguilla will earn over $105 million in 2024 from .ai domain registrations. That’s a massive leap from the $2.9 million it earned in 2018 and even surpasses earlier 2024 estimates of $30 million. The revenue now accounts for about one-third of the territory’s total government income.
The boom was triggered by the rise of AI platforms like ChatGPT, leading to a surge in demand for domains like meta.ai, expert.ai, and litigate.ai. As of late 2024, there were over 556,000 active .ai domains, up 62% from the previous year.
What makes .ai so valuable?
- Global branding: “.ai” is instantly associated with artificial intelligence
- Premium pricing: Anguilla charges $140 for a two-year registration, with a 90% renewal rate
- Direct control: Unlike Tuvalu (.tv), Anguilla manages its domain locally, keeping most of the revenue
- Digital infrastructure: A new deal with U.S. firm Identity Digital ensures secure, scalable domain management
How is the money being used?
Anguilla is reinvesting its domain windfall into:
- Airport expansion
- Free healthcare for seniors
- Technical education programs
- Disaster recovery funds
- Sports and overseas medical support
Tuvalu’s .tv domain: another success story
Like Anguilla, Tuvalu has benefited from its domain .tv, widely used by streaming platforms like Twitch and RakutenTV. Tuvalu earns around $10 million annually, which represents about one-sixth of its GDP.
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