Once rumored to belong to Elon Musk or OpenAI for a staggering $11 million, the domain AI.com has now redirected users to DeepSeek’s website, leaving many puzzled.
According to PANews, as of February 9, AI.com now leads to chat.deepseek.com. This shift surprised many on social media platforms like X and Reddit, as the domain previously redirected to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The Significance of AI.com
AI is one of the fastest-growing sectors, influencing nearly every aspect of modern life. Given its potential, it’s no surprise that a domain like AI.com is highly coveted among tech companies.
According to SmartBranding, AI.com is an incredibly rare asset—only 676 two-letter .com domains exist. Such domains not only enhance a company’s credibility but also boost SEO rankings and improve brand recall. In 2022, the two-letter domain IT.com sold for $3.8 million, showcasing the high value of such domains.
Who Owns AI.com?
Despite the growing interest, AI.com’s true owner remains unknown. WHOIS data reveals that the domain was registered on May 4, 1993, last updated on January 7, 2024, and is valid until May 5, 2031. The registrant’s location is listed as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but whether an individual or organization owns it remains unclear.
AI.com remained dormant for years before changing hands in 2021 without linking to any website. In February 2023, it was suddenly redirected to ChatGPT, coinciding with OpenAI’s rise in popularity.
A History of Speculation and Price Estimates
Domain broker Jeffrey Gabriel, known for brokering the record-breaking sale of Sex.com for $13 million in 2010, estimates that AI.com is worth at least $10 million. He confirmed that it was listed for $11 million and had a buyer, though their identity was never disclosed. Many assumed it was OpenAI, but the company never confirmed.
By August 2023, AI.com started pointing to Elon Musk’s xAI, reigniting speculation that Musk had purchased the domain. Many pointed to Musk’s history of acquiring premium domains, such as Tesla.com in 2016 and X.com from PayPal in 2017. However, Musk remained silent.
Shortly after, the domain was redirected to Google Gemini, then back to ChatGPT, and now, as of February 9, 2024, it leads to DeepSeek.
A Dynamic Landing Page
The frequent changes in AI.com’s destination have fueled speculation. Some believe that the domain’s owner is simply aligning the landing page with current AI trends and industry interest.
“Perhaps the real owner of AI.com enjoys shifting the destination based on hype cycles and AI market developments,” a Reddit user named LoKSET commented.
For now, the mystery continues, and AI enthusiasts worldwide remain eager to see where AI.com leads next.