news .Ai - Government of Anguilla and Identity Digital Announce Partnership

[silentg]

Summary (ChatGPT generated):
The Government of Anguilla (GOA) and Identity Digital have announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing the sustainability, security, and resilience of the .AI domain. As artificial intelligence technologies continue to expand, .AI domains contributed to 20% of Anguilla's total revenue in 2023. The partnership will ensure stable, long-term growth for .AI, leveraging Identity Digital’s expertise to improve the domain's infrastructure and cybersecurity. The increased revenue will be reinvested into Anguilla’s community, supporting projects like airport expansion and improved healthcare. Both partners aim to make .AI a trusted, globally recognized domain.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...-Manage-Explosive-Growth-of-.AI-Web-Addresses

 

[pb]

Mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, maybe the registry will get civilised a bit. On the other, ID are infamous for "premium" registrations and renewals. So it can go both ways from here.

 

[silentg]

I asked them about transfers and renewals on Twitter/X. Will post here when I get a response.

 

[bmugford]

Mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, maybe the registry will get civilised a bit. On the other, ID are infamous for "premium" registrations and renewals. So it can go both ways from here.

At least the backend will be run by a competent provider using modern technology.

I have no doubt it is going the "premium" way though, if the comments from the current operator are any guide.

He seemed a little upset others might be making money on .AI, while every dime isn't going directly to the registry.

This greed has already made them an outlier when it comes to transfers. You pay $80+ to transfer the domain, and don't even get a renewal added.

I think they are going to milk it for everything they can, which includes "premiums".

Brad

 

[biggie]

I think they are going to milk it for everything they can.

Hi

that poor cow's udders will be worn out
and they will package that artificially flavored milk, as premium.

drink up!

imo....

 

[silentg]

Update: I have confirmed with Identity Digital that, once it takes over management of the domain, all registrar transfers will include an extension of the expiration date. Currently, .ai is unusual in that registrar transfers do not add to the expiration date despite the fee.

https://domainnamewire.com/2024/10/15/identity-digital-inks-ai-domain-deal-with-anguilla/

 

[Grilled]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1846258187348889997

 

[bmugford]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1846258187348889997

The .AI rise happened quickly.

Vincent seems to have done well, but the registry has grown past the point of one person controlling everything.

To be a serious player you need the proper structure, technology, accountability, etc.

I am not a massive .AI fan, but I still hope Identity Digital doesn't come in and let greed screw it all up.

Adding a renewal on transfers is a good start. That is standard practice, and doesn't hold you hostage at your current registrar. Registrars should have to earn your business; you should not be financially stuck there.

Brad

 

[pb]

Adding a renewal on transfers is a good start. That is standard practice, and doesn't hold you hostage at your current registrar. Registrars should have to earn your business; you should not be financially stuck there.

Fun fact: there are registries where transfer is free. For those of us who are used to free transfers any time, paid transfers are "hostage light".

 

[Zavian]

The .AI rise happened quickly.

Vincent seems to have done well, but the registry has grown past the point of one person controlling everything.

To be a serious player you need the proper structure, technology, accountability, etc.

I am not a massive .AI fan, but I still hope Identity Digital doesn't come in and let greed screw it all up.

Adding a renewal on transfers is a good start. That is standard practice, and doesn't hold you hostage at your current registrar. Registrars should have to earn your business; you should not be financially stuck there.

Brad

Vince could have done that. He could have hired a team to put in the proper structure, technology and accountability.

I'm just surprised that for the 30 years he's been the technical contact, he's decided not to.

 

[Future Sensors]

Vince could have done that. He could have hired a team to put in the proper structure, technology and accountability.

I'm just surprised that for the 30 years he's been the technical contact, he's decided not to.

I guess he couldn't, and that's one of the reasons the government made this decision.

 

[Zavian]

I guess he couldn't

He couldn't, or he could but he didn't want to?

 

[Future Sensors]

He couldn't, or he could but he didn't want to?

My guess is both, because of personality/character issues. Personally he certainly has good technical skills.

 

[silentg]

Anguilla’s government, which uses the gov.ai home page, collects a fee every time an .ai web address is renewed. The territory signed a deal Tuesday with a U.S. company to manage the domains amid explosive demand but the fees aren’t expected to change. It also gets paid when new addresses are registered and expired ones are sold off. Some sites have fetched tens of thousands of dollars.

https://apnews.com/article/anguilla...-ai-internet-29d4ca2bb740d0425ffb8355811a6976