OpenAI among applicants for new .agent and .agi domains
ICANN has received 1,615 applications from 481 applicants for new internet domain endings, the first such application round in years. The number of AI-related proposals shows how companies see domain names as useful for branding and products, even as most people continue to rely on familiar endings such as .com.
Ten applicants sought .agent and seven sought .agi, with OpenAI among the applicants for both. OpenAI applied for 15 domain endings and Meta for 21; 345 applications are for company brands, including .chatgpt, .codex, .facebook and .instagram. These applications are an early step, and no new endings are expected to become official before next year.
- ICANN received 1,615 applications for new domain endings.
- AI companies are seeking endings such as .agent and .agi.
- New domains are not expected to be official before next year.
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Domain names are the text web addresses people use to reach websites, typically ending in familiar suffixes like .com, .org or .co.uk. These are managed by ICANN, an international organisation that allocates and oversees all domain endings globally. Companies place considerable value on domain names because they form a key part of their digital identity and branding strategy.
New domain endings are created only occasionally, and when ICANN opens applications for them, there is significant interest from organisations seeking to establish distinctive branded web addresses. Technology companies, particularly those working in artificial intelligence, see opportunities in creating specialised domain endings that reflect their business focus. These customised endings allow companies to project their identity more directly and build distinct digital presences for different products or services.
The approval process for new domain endings is rigorous and involves technical and security assessments to ensure internet stability. Only a proportion of applications are typically approved in such rounds. New endings approved in this application cycle are not expected to become officially available until next year.
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Originally published by The Verge as “It appears .agent and .agi are about to be the hot new domains”.
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