The Unlikely Beneficiary of the AI Boom: How Anguilla is Profiting from .ai Domain Names

The artificial intelligence boom has not only revolutionized the tech industry but has also brought unexpected prosperity to the tiny island of Anguilla in the Caribbean. With the surge in interest in AI technologies, Anguilla, which controls the .ai internet address, has seen a significant increase in revenue from web domain registration fees.

Last year, Anguilla’s earnings from web domain registration fees quadrupled to $32 million, now accounting for about 20% of the island’s total government revenue. This windfall has provided a much-needed boost to the economy of Anguilla, a small island with a population of about 16,000.

While Anguilla does not have its own AI industry, Premier Ellis Webster hopes that the island will one day become a hub for the technology. The unexpected revenue from domain registration fees has allowed the government to fund key projects and take the pressure off government finances.

To manage the explosive growth in domain registrations, Anguilla has signed a deal with a U.S.-based domain management company, Identity Digital. This partnership is expected to bring in more revenue for the government while improving the resilience and security of the web addresses.

With over 533,000 .ai web domains now registered, the revenue from domain registration fees is expected to continue to rise. Premier Webster plans to use this money to finance projects such as the expansion of the airport, free medical care for senior citizens, and vocational technology training centers.

Overall, the unexpected windfall from the AI boom has provided Anguilla with a unique opportunity to diversify its economy and fund important projects that will benefit the island’s residents.