AI Domains: Everything you need to know and what not to do with your .AI domain names
Daniel Levi
Posted On December 20, 2023
The AI boom that kicked off about a year ago with the introduction of ChatGPT has now spilled over into the world of domain names. It seems like every new tech startup is jumping on the AI bandwagon, regardless of its actual focus, and even some established companies are rebranding themselves as AI-centric. This trend is leaving its mark on the domain registration scene.
Before the recent surge in AI interest, the Caribbean island of Anguilla limited the sale and distribution of its domains to local businesses and interests. However, in just the past year, the total number of registered domains skyrocketed to 287,432, doubling in number, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The AI domain rush didn’t just stop there. The .ai country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registry disclosed that more than 50,000 AI domain names were snapped up in a little over a quarter. The AI registry updated its website, revealing that the total number of domains under its management as of September 23 reached 306,861, a significant increase from 248,609 recorded on June 14.
What Are AI Domains?
AI domains are like the internet’s VIP passes, officially tied to the country code for Anguilla, a small British overseas spot in the Caribbean. But here’s the plot twist—these domains have become the rockstars of the online world, stretching way beyond their tropical roots and making a name for themselves in the artificial intelligence (AI) scene. The registration of the AI domain was first made available to everyone worldwide on September 15, 2009.
AI domains are like the internet’s VIP passes, hooked up to Anguilla’s country code. Originally meant for the Caribbean scene, these domains have become the rockstars of the online world, making a splash in the artificial intelligence (AI) realm. Surprisingly, the registration for AI domains was opened up to everyone worldwide on September 15, 2009.
Similar to the other top-level domain extensions, the .ai domains are handed out by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). So, if someone wants to use that domain for their business, like Elon Musk aiming for xAI, they’ll have to cough up some cash for the island territory for the privilege.
According to Fox Business, Anguilla is set to bank around $30 million this year just from its domain name game. As more companies scramble to snag domains for their AI startups and future platforms, the island is looking at a cash boost. They’re now estimating a tidy sum between $25 million and $30 million for the year. Talk about turning digital real estate into serious profit!
“Since Nov. 30, things are very different here,” Vince Cate, who managed the domain for the territory, explained, saying that they are “blowing past” an initial estimate of $8.3 million for 2023 as no one could “anticipate ChatGPT.”
Here’s the lowdown on AI domains:
Country Code for Anguilla: Initially, .AI was like a local celebrity, reserved for anything linked to Anguilla. But thanks to its AI vibes, it’s now a global sensation. People and businesses from all corners of the globe are snagging AI domains to show off their AI prowess.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Connection: “AI” isn’t just a couple of letters—it’s a superstar in the tech world, standing for artificial intelligence. So, if you’re in the tech game, especially AI, having an AI domain is like strutting your stuff on the digital red carpet.
Tech and Innovation: If you’re a tech whiz, a startup, or an AI enthusiast, AI domains are your jam. They’re the go-to choice for anyone making waves in tech, innovation, and AI. Whether you’re into AI research, development, or services, AI is the cool kid on the block.
Availability and Registration: Back in January 2022, AI domains were up for grabs by anyone, no matter where you were on the map. But, heads up, the rules of the domain game can change, so it’s wise to check in with domain registrars for the latest scoop.
Renewal and Maintenance: Just like any other cool thing, .AI domains need a little love to stay yours. Regular renewals are the secret sauce to keeping the ownership vibe alive. Stay on top of those dates to avoid any accidental goodbyes to your domain.
Domain Use: AI domains are versatile—think websites, blogs, email addresses, you name it. They’re the hip choice for anyone in the AI, machine learning, and related tech scenes, giving your online presence that extra tech-savvy edge.
And if you’re itching to get your hands on an AI domain, no worries! Plenty of domain registrars are in on the game. Just remember, things might’ve shaken up a bit since my last update, so it’s always smart to check in with a reliable registrar for the latest deets. Time to claim your piece of the digital AI turf!
Most Expensive AI Domain Sales
Listed below are the .ai extension sales of $25,000 or more recorded in NameBio, along with the year of the sale.
- You.ai sold for $700,000
- Stack.ai sold for $258,888
- NPC.ai sold for $250,000
- Service.ai sold for 127,500
- Agents.ai sold for $125,000
- Precise.ai sold for 125,000
- Expert.ai sold for $107,495
- Music.ai sold for $101,500
- arena.ai sold for $65,098
- samur.ai sold for $50,000
- analytics.ai sold for $50,00o
- personal.ai sold for $48,636
- growth.ai sold for $45,000
- human.ai sold for$45,000
- workflow.ai sold for $35,000
- ledger.ai sold for $33,333
- predictive.ai sold for $30,050
- board.ai sold for $29,522
- conv.ai sold for $28,000
- face.ai sold for $26,916
- gene.ai sold for $25,553
- wow.ai sold for $25,050
- avatar.ai sold for $25,000
- content.ai sold for$25,000
AI Domain Rules and Regulations
Unlike your typical .com, .net, and .org domain names, AI domains come with a set of strict rules and a list of things you can and can’t do. For instance, you can’t use AI domains to run crypto exchanges. Whois.ai, an AI registrar, provides a comprehensive overview of the rules and regulations governing AI domains. These cover both technical registration requirements and legal considerations.
- Grounds for suspending or revoking a domain
While we want lots of .ai domain sales as it raises significant money for The Government of Anguilla, we do not want any scammer domains tarnishing the reputation of Anguilla or “.ai”. If people know of scam sites in “.ai” domains please report them. The Government of Anguilla reserves the right to remove or suspend any domain. This is usually due to one of the following or similar scamish actions:- Anything that would be illegal in Anguilla
- porn that would be illegal in Anguilla, like child porn, revenge porn, etc.
- violating copyrights
- Hate speech site. Any site just hating on some group.
- Phishing – for example pretending to be another site to get users to enter username and password
- Has logos or trademarks from a company when they are not affiliated with that company
- Dishonestly making false representations for financial gain
- any site promising to help people get rich quick for a fee
- anything looking like a pyramid scheme, ponzi, or multi-level-marketing site (mlm)
- Doing any of the following without an Anguilla license to be a bank, broker, public company, ICO, exchange, or gambling site
- Holding client deposits
- managing investments for clients
- offering guaranteed returns of any rate
- asking for investors
- offering trading or exchange services for stock, bond, crypto or other similar markets
- any kind of gambling
- any site for attacking other sites, like DDOS or other
- Any sites on a list of scam sites will be suspended.
- Sites reported by reputable domain monitoring agencies
- if owner of the site has done any of the above with previous domains (even non .ai domains) we can disable a current domain
- If a site says something like “trusted by” or “in partnership with” and has trademarked logos for other companies and one of those companies says this is not true, the whole site comes down.
If we decide that a site has violated any of the above the domain will be suspended. Even if the registrant promises to modify the content we will not enable the domain.
So, before you go ahead and register your AI domains, it’s crucial to do your homework and delve into the details. You might want to get advice from legal professionals to navigate trademark and compliance issues. Also, stay on the lookout for any changes in AI regulations and ensure that your use of AI domains aligns with ethical and responsible principles.
