How the AI ​​boom is making a small Caribbean island rich

Since ChatGPT’s breakthrough almost two years ago Artificial intelligence on everyone’s lips. Since then, numerous companies have been trying to create web addresses with the ending “.ai” to register.

This ending actually stands for that British overseas territory of Anguillaa small Caribbean island with just 16,000 inhabitants. With the growing need for AI domains, Anguilla is now experiencing an unexpected economic boost.

Millions in revenue thanks to AI ending

In the 1990s, Anguilla was granted the right to control the domain extension “.ai”, which was originally intended to indicate a website’s affiliation with a specific region. But this ending has long been used by large companies to present their AI offerings. Google uses “google.ai” to illustrate the AI ​​products, and also Elon Musk has secured a domain called “x.ai” for its AI chatbot Grok AI.

For every new registration, renewal or sale of a “.ai” address, Anguilla receives around 130 Euro for two years. Loud Ram Mohanthe country’s Identity Digital Chief Strategy Officer, this fee will remain unchanged for now. In the last year alone, Anguilla was able to do so thanks to the AI ​​boom 30 million euros and quadruple its income from this area. The “.ai” domains are now becoming popular 20 percent of total government revenue – a significant increase compared to the five percent before the boom.

From need for help to independence

Due to the additional income, which is now over 533,000 registered “.ai” web addresses Anguilla’s economic situation will be significantly improved. The income helps to finance projects that would not have been possible before. The government under Prime Minister Ellis Webster plans to invest the money in expanding the airport, providing free medical care for seniors and building a technology training center. In addition, a national development fund is to be set up that is quickly available in the event of hurricane damage.

Webster sees the whole thing as lucky coincidence. That Anguilla and not the nearby island Antigua Getting the “.ai” address in 1995 was pure luck, especially since both countries have the same letters in their names. Webster hopes that the AI ​​boom will continue for a long time and even believes that revenues could double this year. Anguilla, which was previously dependent on aid from Great Britain, can now increasingly finance itself through the AI ​​revenue.