Nestled in the Eastern Caribbean, the low-lying island of Anguilla is famed for its 33 pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere. This tiny British Overseas Territory, positioned north of Saint Martin, is now experiencing an unprecedented economic windfall, not from tourism alone, but from the global artificial intelligence revolution.
From Island Paradise to Tech Goldmine
Anguilla's unexpected fortune stems from its internet country code: .ai. As demand for artificial intelligence soars worldwide, tech companies are clamouring for website addresses ending with this highly relevant suffix. The territory's technology minister, Jose Vanterpool, revealed to The Telegraph that one domain recently sold for $400,000 (£296,411), with some weeks seeing over 10,000 registrations.
This digital gold rush is generating staggering revenue for the island. Projections indicate that income from the .ai domain reached as high as £141 million ($189m) last year. Remarkably, this AI-derived income now constitutes about 47 per cent of the national budget.
Funding a Better Quality of Life
The financial influx is directly improving infrastructure and public services for Anguilla's residents. The government has been able to fund significant upgrades, including:
- Reduced taxes for the population.
- Improved roads and modernised street lighting.
- The introduction of free healthcare for children under five and residents over seventy.
This boom complements a robust tourism sector, which saw a six per cent increase in visitors in 2024, surpassing 34 million. The island's appeal was further cemented by its induction into Travel and Leisure's Hall of Fame after being named one of the world's top islands in their 2025 World's Best Awards.
Safety, Cuisine, and a Valuable Digital Legacy
Beyond its digital savvy, Anguilla boasts a reputation as the safest island in the Caribbean, according to the latest Global Peace Index, which assesses crime rates and political stability. It shares this elite status with destinations like Barbados and the Cayman Islands.
Recognised as the Caribbean's 'Culinary Capital' by the World Travel Awards, the island offers a vibrant food scene. From gourmet restaurants to beach shacks, visitors can enjoy specialities such as grilled lobster, saltfish, and conch. The territory also features a Greg Norman-designed golf course, adding to its luxury appeal.
Anguilla's story mirrors that of other nations blessed with valuable domain codes, such as Tuvalu (.tv) and Micronesia (.fm). As the AI sector continues its explosive growth, this British Overseas Territory has secured a uniquely profitable niche, proving that in the modern economy, even a two-letter code can be a foundation for prosperity.
