Artificial Intelligence and Domains

“Many many years ago, my parents bought me a domain name, even when I had no idea and no intention to use it.  They just told me that maybe in the future you will use it,” explained Tran Xuan Hau from iNET at the GoCreate! Getting Hooked on Domains roundtable during the ICANN APAC DNS Forum 2025. Tran went on to say that, “I just activated my domain a few months ago, and it’s very interesting for me because I code and design my own website. Maybe it’s just simple, but I still feel very happy because it helped me learn about something technical. I now work for iNET, a domain registrar in Vietnam.”

Domain Usage for Understanding

As Tran described, the GoCreate! session addressed the need for those shaping Internet policies to understand domain ownership firsthand. Owen Smigelski, Head of ICANN Compliance and Regulations for Namecheap shared his observation that only 20% of ICANN Compliance staff had domain names, and fewer than half of Government Advisory Committee (GAC) members did. “I think it’s very important to get the people who are coming up with rules [and policies] about domain names to have the experience of having their own domain name. They should at least understand the process,” he emphasized.

Tom Meng of NETalent echoed this sentiment, recounting his own brief experience registering a domain just to explore it. “I don’t have my own personal domain now, but I did play around with one for around a year just to see what I can do and how it works.”

AI and the Future of Domains

According to 2025 Forbes article, “The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 first brought attention to .ai domains. Data from Domain Name Stat shows that, after steady but slow .ai uptake through 2020 and 2021, registrations shot up in 2022. Year over year, .ai domain registrations grew 50% in 2022 and 230% in 2023 before soaring to 300% in 2024. According to Domain Name Wire, [as of 31 March 2025] there are almost 600,000 .ai domains registered – that’s a tenfold increase from November 2022. On Atom.com, .ai revenue has seen a 4700% increase since 2022.”

As of September 2025, .ai registrations have soared to 890,000, and premium .ai domain sales in the aftermarket reached six and seven figures. The surge has been a major financial boon for Anguilla, the country that controls the .ai domain. Due to the skyrocketing growth of its domain, the backend management of the .ai domain transitioned from the Anguilla government to registry backend provider Identity Digital in January 2025.

In 2024, generative AI apps surpassed one billion cumulative downloads, and the AI app market generated $4.5 billion, representing a 136% increase over the previous year. In Asia, India led the world in AI app downloads, accounting for 21% of the global total for 2024. Nearly 700 million people used AI apps in the first half of 2025, with chatbots and image editing tools accounting for the majority of AI app usage.

AI is driving domain registration by transforming the domain search, appraisal, and management processes through enhanced speed, precision, and personalization. Domain registrars use machine learning algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) to generate highly relevant and available domain name suggestions, moving beyond simple keyword matching.

For example, most Internet end users today have searched the web via the Chrome browser, which uses Google’s AI tools. These tools are powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5. This AI is part of Google’s plan to add generative AI to search, known as AI Overviews or the Search Generative Experience (SGE). Researchers have pointed out that this AI centralization of content in search results reduces both the critical thinking skills of the user to navigate different resources, while also reducing unique visits to domains themselves.

Simplifying Access with AI

Interactive breakouts and discussions during GoCreate! Domain Innovations: Getting Hooked on Domains revealed that AI can empower new users to enter the domain space with ease. Tran Tuyen of iNET shared his personal journey: “I activated my domain name just a few months ago…I feel very happy because it helped me learn about the Internet and upload whatever I like.”

Tran noted that automation and AI tools could make it easier for others to create and manage websites, reinforcing the idea that “technology is for everyone.”

By automating tasks and providing real-time analytics, AI enables domain managers and businesses alike to streamline activities and focus on growth.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Despite rapid digital growth in the APAC region, challenges remain. “Jay” Ngoc Duy Huynh, CEO of MatBao recounted visiting Myanmar in 2018, where domain name awareness was low, and companies used Facebook pages instead of websites. “To get them to register more domains, you have to get them to register the first one.” Pitinan Kooarmornpatana from ICANN org highlighted improvements in Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), encouraging users to try domain names in their native scripts.

Panelists agreed that multiple domains help individuals manage different digital identities. Alban Kwan, Regional Director of East Asia for CSC noted better retention rates among users who own both a ccTLD and a .COM. “So first of all, we have to look into retention when we get people to register more domains.” Ebbie Wong, General Manager of Webnic stressed that “we don’t sell domains—we sell digital identities.”

The Next Frontier

The GoCreate! series aims to foster innovation in the DNS space, encouraging participation from both industry veterans and newcomers. DotAsia CEO Edmon Chung urged a shift from policy focus to marketing innovation, proposing initiatives like discounted domain registration for ICANN community members.

The session ended with excitement about future innovations, such as integrating domain names into distributed platforms like the Fediverse. As AI and new technologies evolve, so do the opportunities for individuals to take control of their digital presence.

Edmon concluded, “This is the first roundtable, and we will be back.”

The GoCreate! collaborative series will foster a deeper understanding and increased adoption of domain name assets within the digital landscape. The initiative underscores the strategic advantages for businesses in utilizing a meaningful portfolio of domain names, to enhance market reach, brand affiliation and resilience of digital systems. DotAsia plans to continue the series at other venues in Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, and Kuala Lumpur later in 2025, and in Mumbai early 2026. Stay tuned to the GoCreate! website for more information about how you can participate.

With its rising youth, infrastructure, and economy—Asia is the future of the DNS industry. If you’re in the community, collaborate with DotAsia and share your ideas for the GoCreate! series.