It’s a remarkable story tied to the evolution of our 21st-century society, where the Internet and now Artificial Intelligence have taken on enormous significance. Where the Web and AI have transformed the destiny of the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla.
After .tv Came .ai
You probably know that every website has what’s called a domain name or address that allows you to access it. This typically consists of one part defining the owner or brand (for example, “nytimes”), and another called a suffix for geolocation (like .uk for the United Kingdom) or the type of activity of the site in question (.com, .org, or .net being the most common).
With the development of Artificial Intelligence, abbreviated as AI, the .ai suffix has suddenly become highly coveted by those willing to spend fortunes so their sites can benefit from such an ending in their addresses. Business is business…
Except things aren’t quite that simple. Since the Internet has existed for decades now, each country has officially and permanently had its own suffix related to its name for years. And if .uk is already taken by the United Kingdom, .ai has likewise always belonged to a tiny Caribbean island called Anguilla.
Which is why, recently, tech giants and AI startups have taken an interest in this island of 16,000 inhabitants. They’re proposing to create addresses for their Artificial Intelligence activities registered there and ending with that famous .ai suffix. For a fee, naturally… And it’s estimated that for 2024 alone, little Anguilla collected nearly $40 million just from commercializing its suffix. To the point that this sale of domain names now constitutes the island’s second-largest revenue source after tourism. Enough to invest in various projects and tax cuts for its residents.
Not the First Time
Pretty impressive, but not a world first—a few years ago, another small island, this time in the Pacific, experienced the same thing. The islands of Tuvalu and their .tv suffix were snapped up by numerous media outlets and TV channels around the world eager to create their own .tv addresses. This gave Tuvalu an annual windfall of several million dollars and the opportunity to double its GDP, much to the benefit of Tuvaluans…
A Few Things About Anguilla
Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory located about 155 miles east of Puerto Rico and just a few miles from the French-Dutch island of Saint Martin. Though it’s one of the lesser-known and least-visited destinations in the Caribbean, with its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, it doesn’t lack charm. In fact, for 2025, it was voted “best island in the Caribbean.”
As for landscapes, Anguilla is relatively flat and low-lying, which distinguishes it from the more mountainous volcanic islands in the region. The one thing they share? Stunning beaches exactly as you’d imagine them in the tropics.
Hello! I’m Ben Fischer, a travel enthusiast who has journeyed far and wide to bring you unique and inspiring stories. Each destination is a new adventure for me, a chance to explore diverse cultures and share unforgettable experiences.
In my articles, I take you beyond mere descriptions of places. I share the encounters, special moments, and anecdotes that make each trip unique. My writing is an invitation to see the world through my eyes, blending practical tips with personal insights.
As a lifelong traveler, I approach each journey with respect and curiosity, eager to uncover the stories hidden in every corner of the globe.
