Anguilla: the Caribbean island that has become a millionaire thanks to artificial intelligence.
A small British island in the Caribbean with just 16,000 inhabitants, Anguilla has experienced an unexpected economic boom thanks to artificial intelligence. Since 1995, Anguilla has held the Internet top-level domain “.ai”, assigned by ICANN. Originally intended to represent the island, this domain has taken on a new meaning with the exponential growth of AI, as “AI” is short for “Artificial Intelligence”.
A domain worth gold.
With the rise of AI and the launch of tools such as ChatGPT in November 2022, demand for “.ai” domains has skyrocketed. Tech companies and startups are looking to associate their brands with AI, which has led to a significant increase in “.ai” domain registrations. In 2023, Anguilla collected approximately $32 million from these registrations, representing more than 20% of government revenue that year.
Continued growth in 2024 and 2025.
Growth did not stop in 2023. In 2024, revenues from “.ai” domain name registrations exceeded US$100 million, surpassing the government’s initial projections. By 2025, it is estimated that this revenue could reach US$132 million, consolidating the “.ai” domain as a crucial source of income for the island.
Investments in infrastructure and services.
The revenues generated by the “.ai” domain have enabled Anguilla to finance various projects, including the expansion of the airport, the improvement of medical care for the elderly and the modernization of public schools. In addition, technical and digital training programs have been implemented to prepare the local population for the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
A promising but uncertain future.
Although current revenues are significant, Anguillan authorities are aware of the volatile nature of technology trends. The government is working to diversify the economy away from exclusive reliance on “.ai” domain revenues.
In short, Anguilla has seized a unique opportunity at the intersection of geography and technology, transforming a digital resource into a substantial source of revenue that drives the island’s economic and social development.
