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 [Not really conspiracy related, but I thought it was neat.  ;)  -- Mike]

'.ai' websites are booming - and making millions for this tiny Caribbean
nation

Date:
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:30:00 +0000

Description:
Google, x.ai, Perplexity and other AI startups are all helping to fund
critical infrastructure upgrades in Anguilla.

FULL STORY

More than a million '.ai' domains have now been registered as of early 
January 2026, largely driven by the ChatGPT-induced global AI boom, and it's
proving to be quite the money maker for Anguilla, a new report has found. 

Research from Sherwood found the small British Overseas Territory has control
over the '.ai' domain as its country code, which it has now turned into a
major revenue stream worth an estimated $70 million per year, or the
equivalent of around 20-22% of the government's total revenue. 

Compared with 2023, the number of '.ai' domain registrations has near tripled
from 354,000, with revenue more than doubling from an estimated $32 million.
Anguilla is benefitting from the AI boom, but in a different way 

At present, around 37% of the Caribbean islands revenue comes from tourism,
marking a considerable reliance on international travel  a factor that was
heavily affected by COVID. However, this additional revenue worth around a
fifth of the governments income serves as an important extra to bolster
finances. 

The average .ai domain costs $140 per year, but the most staggering figure is
the domains 90% renewal rate, indicative of long-term stability for Anguilla
on this front. 

And its not just AI startups that are paying for Anguillas domains  Google,
x.ai and Perplexity are also cashing in on the brand-boosting trend. 

The International Monetary Fund noted that Anguilla isnt the only Small 
Island Developing State to have benefitted from its uniquely positioned 
domain ownership. Tuvalu previously saw a rise in the 1990s for its .tv
domain. 

IMF noted that Anguilla plans to invest its domain-related cash in long-term
sustainable projects, such as renewable energy. Key infrastructure like its
airport could also benefit from this strike of pure luck. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/ai-websites-are-booming-and-making-millions-for-
this-tiny-caribbean-nation

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