Anguilla leverages its .ai domain to fuel an artificial intelligence business surge, significantly boosting its economy.
Main Points:
- The .ai domain assigned to Anguilla by ICANN has become highly sought after by AI companies, creating a significant revenue stream for the island.
- Domain sales and registrations have surged since the launch of ChatGPT, now constituting about a third of Anguilla’s government budget.
- Investors and companies, including tech giants like Google and Meta, have rushed to secure .ai domains, with projections of revenue hitting €72 million ($78.3 million) by 2025.
Summary:
Anguilla, a small British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, has found an unexpected source of income nearly four decades after being assigned the .ai domain by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The domain has become increasingly popular among both big and small companies looking to establish their presence in the artificial intelligence space. The surge in demand for .ai domains has significantly boosted Anguilla’s economy, with domain registrations now making up a third of the island’s revenue. The rise in interest was particularly notable following the launch of ChatGPT, with domain sales nearly quadrupling and projections estimating that domain registration revenue could bring in €72 million ($78.3 million) by 2025.
In contrast to other countries that outsource domain registration management, Anguilla handles it locally, ensuring most profits benefit the government directly. This new revenue stream is particularly notable given the island’s traditional reliance on tourism, offshore banking, and fishing. The .ai domain’s success story not only highlights Anguilla’s unexpected financial boon but also underscores the global rush for AI-related digital real estate, as companies and investors alike seek to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom.
Source: The small Caribbean island making a fortune from artificial intelligence
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