The .ai domain, assigned to Anguilla, has crossed the milestone of 1 million registered websites as of January 2, 2026, according to data from Domain Name Stat. This significant growth is attributed to the ongoing surge in artificial intelligence technology, further boosting the small island's economy. Last year, Anguilla, a self-governing British overseas territory in the Lesser Antilles with a population of approximately 15,000, earned a remarkable $70 million from domain registrations. The revenue accounted for about 22% of Anguilla's total annual income.
The island began to benefit from the .ai domain in the mid-1990s when it was assigned by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Since the introduction of AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT in 2023, there has been a marked increase in the number of businesses and individuals seeking to associate themselves with the rapidly evolving technology. In 2023 alone, Anguilla earned approximately 87 million East Caribbean dollars (around $32 million) from domain sales.
Current figures indicate that the revenue from domain name registrations has exceeded expectations, with officials noting that proceeds from goods and services sales significantly surpassed forecasts, largely due to the success of the .ai domain. Last year, total revenue from sales and services reached around $96.4 million, with the domain registration income comprising a staggering 73% of that total.
Anguilla typically charges $140 for a two-year domain registration, ensuring a steady income stream, and about 90% of these domains are renewed after the initial registration period. Auctions for expired .ai domain names have also proven lucrative, with the domain name you.ai selling for $700,000 in September 2025. In just one week, the sale of 31 expired domains generated a total of $1.2 million.
This substantial revenue from the .ai domain not only highlights Anguilla's strategic positioning in the tech industry but also sets a precedent for other small nations looking to capitalize on the digital economy. As AI continues to grow, the competition for domain registrations could intensify, benefiting jurisdictions that offer appealing domain options.
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