Inside the .ai Boom: A Q&A with Namecheap on Domain Growth and Innovation

As the AI boom continues to reshape how we work and innovate, domain registrars are seeing a surge in demand for .ai domains. Among those helping drive this growth is Namecheap, one of the world’s leading domain name registrars. With the recent migration of the .ai top-level domain (TLD) to Identity Digital's infrastructure, Namecheap has played a key role in supporting the auctions process, helping to bring previously registered .ai domains back into circulation for entrepreneurs, startups, and global enterprises.

We caught up with Richard Kirkendall, CEO at Namecheap to talk about what they’re seeing around .ai domain growth, how they’re using Identity Digital’s tools, and the impact it’s had so far.

Q: What excites you most about the .ai TLD now that it’s on Identity Digital’s platform?

A: We value the fact that Identity Digital’s cloud-native platform delivers the security and reliability our customers expect. Being able to offer .ai with confidence around uptime, infrastructure, and support makes a real difference in how we serve today’s tech-savvy domain buyers.

The migration of the .ai domain to Identity Digital’s platform is a transformative step forward, enhancing the trust and scalability needed to support startups as they establish and grow their digital presence.

Q: What benefits have you seen since the .ai migration?

A: We’ve observed strong momentum across our business following the platform migration. .ai has seen explosive growth in both awareness and adoption. In 2025 alone, .ai domain registrations have increased by more than 60% year-over-year, making it one of the fastest-growing TLDs globally. The improved registry infrastructure and enhanced DNS capabilities enabled by Identity Digital have helped deliver faster resolution times and great end-user experiences.

Q: How has the addition of 24/7 global support made a difference for your team or your customers?

A: This new around-the-clock global support model offered by Identity Digital is the first of its kind for .ai. Having access to responsive, knowledgeable help, regardless of time zone, means we can resolve issues quickly and maintain a reliable experience for our customers, whether they’re individual buyers or large enterprises.

Q: What trends are you seeing in buyer demand for .ai domains?

A: What we’re seeing across our registrar network is clear: .ai is becoming the default domain extension for anyone building in the AI space. Whether it’s VC-backed startups, independent developers, or global tech brands, .ai signals relevance and innovation. It’s a high-volume domain, often with higher cart values and strong renewal rates.

Q: How does the Identity Digital partnership help you better serve your customers?

A:  In addition to the technical advantages, Identity Digital brings deep industry insight, marketing support, and a commitment to innovation. That partnership helps us stay ahead of evolving trends and better support the needs of modern domain buyers. Identity Digital is focused on not just growing .ai, but also bringing benefits to the country of Anguilla. We are excited to partner with a company that is focused on ethical and sustainable practices beyond just the bottomline.

Q: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about when it comes to .ai and this partnership?

A:  With new AI companies launching daily and major brands expanding their AI investments, the .ai domain space is only becoming more competitive and valuable. We’re excited to help users establish a strong presence with domains that signal innovation and authority in the AI era, and we see our ongoing partnership with Identity Digital as a key part of delivering that experience at scale.

Stay tuned for more insights from our registrar partners as the .ai growth accelerates.