The AI Gold Mine: How the Island of Anguilla is Striking it Rich with ".ai" Domains

The AI Gold Mine: How the Island of Anguilla is Striking it Rich with ".ai" Domains

While tech giants are battling for AI supremacy, a small British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean is quietly reaping the rewards. Anguilla, the owner of the .ai country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), has seen an unprecedented economic windfall as the world rushes to secure AI-related digital real estate.

Surpassing One Million Registrations

As of January 2, 2026, the number of registered .ai domains has officially surpassed 1 million. This represents a massive leap from early 2023, when there were only about 350,000 active registrations.

The financial impact on the island's economy is transformative:

• 2023 Revenue: The domain generated approximately $32 million, accounting for a staggering 22% of total government revenue.

• 2026 Projections: Analysts estimate that revenue could skyrocket to $96 million this year as AI integration becomes standard across all industries.

The Secondary Market Boom

Anguilla also benefits from the auctioning of expired or premium domains. Short, catchy names have become digital gold. For instance, the domain you.ai recently fetched $700,000 in an auction, with the proceeds going directly to the territory’s treasury.

• Originally, the .ai domain was designated as the country code for Anguilla since 1995, much like .tv belongs to Tuvalu. No one could have predicted that the letters "AI" would become one of the most influential words of the 21st century.

• This massive revenue has been channeled into tangible projects on the island, such as the construction of new schools, improvements to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, and subsidized free healthcare for citizens over 70.

• Why don't AI companies use .com? Analysts argue that .ai represents a "niche" and reflects the industry's identity more clearly, leading brands like Google (Google.ai), Microsoft, and Meta to acquire the .ai domain to avoid confusion.

• Anguilla's challenge lies in its "one-sided data reliance." If the AI ​​trend subsides or other domains (like .bot or .app) are adopted, this revenue stream could disappear. The Anguilla government is therefore accelerating efforts to diversify its revenue streams into tourism and finance. 

 

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