The demand for website addresses with AI-related names is on the rise, leading to high prices for these domain names. Tech entrepreneur Ian Leaman, the founder of Pantry AI, had to pay $12,000 for the domain name Pantry.ai, as it was already registered. This trend is not unique to Mr. Leaman, as other domain names such as npc.ai and service.ai have been sold for $250,000 and $127,500, respectively.

The process of acquiring a domain name involves checking its availability through accredited domain registrars. If the desired domain name is already taken, one can engage a domain brokerage to negotiate a deal with the current owner. Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, notes a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites, with sales reaching the low to six figures.

The total value of domain names including AI has risen to $20 million in 2021, compared to $7 million the previous year. The surge in AI-related domain names is driven by both start-ups seeking online presence and speculators aiming to profit from selling these domains. Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow, emphasizes the importance of a short and memorable domain name for companies, as it can enhance their online visibility and consumer recall.

The most sought-after website addresses for AI firms are single words followed by the .ai suffix, as they are considered valuable digital real estate. However, Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions, advises companies to avoid overpaying for AI-focused domains unless their business is truly AI-centric. Despite the high prices, the trend of AI-related domain names is expected to continue due to the increasing investment in AI and companies’ desire to showcase their AI capabilities.

Original news source: The race to buy AI website addresses (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Students will work in pairs. Each pair will read the article and then take turns summarizing the key points to each other as concisely as possible, aiming to capture the essence of the article in under one minute.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: The teacher writes a statement on the board related to the article, such as “AI-related domain names are worth the high investment costs.” Students line up according to how strongly they agree or disagree with the statement. Each student, or pair of students, will then explain their position, providing reasons and examples from the article to support their opinion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key terms from the article (e.g., domain name, brokerage, speculators, digital real estate) on separate pieces of paper. Divide the class into two teams. One member from each team will select a piece of paper and draw the term for their team to guess within a set time limit. No verbal clues or letters can be used.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Students must create an attention-grabbing headline for the article that summarizes the main point while being catchy. They can work in small groups and then present their headlines to the class. The class can vote on the most effective headline.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students discuss in small groups what they predict the market for AI-related domain names will look like in 5 years based on the information from the article. Each group will share their predictions with the class and provide reasons for their forecasts.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the purchase price of the domain name Pantry.ai?
2. Which domain names were sold for $250,000 and $127,500 respectively?
3. How does one go about acquiring a domain name if it is already taken?
4. What has Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, noted about the demand for AI-named websites?
5. What was the total value of domain names including AI in 2021, and how does it compare to the previous year?
6. What are the two main drivers behind the surge in AI-related domain names?
7. Why does Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow, believe that a short and memorable domain name is important for companies?
8. What advice does Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions, offer to companies considering the purchase of AI-focused domains?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The demand for website addresses with AI-related names is on the rise, leading to high prices for these domain names. Tech entrepreneur Ian Leaman, the (1)______ of Pantry AI, had to pay $12,000 for the domain name (2)______, as it was already registered. This trend is not (3)______ to Mr. Leaman, as (4)______ domain names such as npc.ai and service.ai have been sold for $250,000 and $127,500, respectively.

The process of acquiring a (5)______ name involves checking its availability through accredited domain registrars. If the desired domain name is already taken, one can engage a domain brokerage to negotiate a deal with the current owner. Joe (6)______, CEO of Name Experts, notes a significant (7)______ in the demand for AI-named websites, with sales reaching the low to six figures.

The total (8)______ of domain names including AI has risen to $20 million in 2021, compared to $7 million the previous year. The surge in AI-related domain names is driven by both start-ups seeking online presence and speculators aiming to (9)______ from selling these (10)______. Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow, emphasizes the importance of a (11)______ and memorable domain name for companies, as it can enhance their online (12)______ and consumer recall.

The most sought-after website addresses for AI firms are single words followed by the .ai suffix, as they are (13)______ valuable (14)______ real estate. However, Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions, advises (15)______ to avoid overpaying for AI-focused domains unless their business is truly AI-centric. Despite the high prices, the trend of AI-related domain names is expected to (16)______ due to the increasing investment in AI and companies’ desire to showcase their AI capabilities.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think is the importance of having a domain name that reflects your company’s focus on AI?
2. How would you feel if you had to pay a high price for a domain name that perfectly matches your business?
3. Do you think the trend of AI-related domain names increasing in value will continue? Why or why not?
4. What is your opinion on the practice of speculators buying and selling domain names for profit?
5. Have you ever had to negotiate for a domain name or any other digital property? What was that experience like?
6. How do you think the rise in domain name prices will affect small startups trying to establish an online presence?
7. What is a memorable domain name you have come across, and what made it stand out for you?
8. Do you think the .ai suffix will become as popular as .com for businesses in the future? Why or why not?
9. How would you approach the challenge of finding a suitable domain name for a new AI-focused business?
10. Do you like the idea of domain brokerages? Why or why not?
11. What strategies do you think companies can use to enhance their online visibility aside from having a short and memorable domain name?
12. Do you think it’s essential for a company to showcase its AI capabilities through its domain name? Why or why not?
13. What is your opinion on businesses that rebrand to include ‘AI’ in their name or domain, even if their services are not AI-centric?
14. How would you feel if a domain name you wanted was taken and offered to you at a price you couldn’t afford?
15. Do you think the value of a domain name can significantly impact a company’s success? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. domain
2. Pantry
3. AI
4. registrar
5. brokerage
6. CEO
7. speculators
8. suffix

Meanings:
(a) A company or individual that facilitates the sale of domain names
(b) A person or firm that buys and sells goods or assets in the hope of making a profit
(c) A room or cupboard used for storing food or dishes
(d) A system that enables computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence
(e) An area of the internet with a particular address
(f) A word or letter added to the end of a word
(g) The person who is the highest-ranking officer
(h) A place where domain names are registered
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Ian Leaman have to pay for the domain name Pantry.ai?
(a) $5,000
(b) $12,000
(c) $20,000
(d) $8,000

2. How much was the domain name npc.ai sold for?
(a) $100,000
(b) $150,000
(c) $250,000
(d) $200,000

3. What does the process of acquiring a domain name involve?
(a) Negotiating a deal with the current owner
(b) Contacting the previous owner directly
(c) Checking its availability through accredited domain registrars
(d) Creating a new domain name from scratch

4. Who noted a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites?
(a) Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts
(b) Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow
(c) Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions
(d) Ian Leaman, founder of Pantry AI

5. How much did the total value of domain names including AI rise to in 2021?
(a) $15 million
(b) $20 million
(c) $25 million
(d) $30 million

6. What is the most sought-after website address for AI firms?
(a) Long phrases followed by the .ai suffix
(b) Single words followed by the .com suffix
(c) Long phrases followed by the .com suffix
(d) Single words followed by the .ai suffix

7. What does Matt Barrie emphasize the importance of for companies?
(a) A long and complicated domain name
(b) A domain name with many hyphens
(c) A domain name with a random combination of letters
(d) A short and memorable domain name

8. Who advises companies to avoid overpaying for AI-focused domains unless their business is truly AI-centric?
(a) Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions
(b) Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts
(c) Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow
(d) Ian Leaman, founder of Pantry AI

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The total value of domain names including AI has decreased to $10 million in 2021, compared to $7 million the previous year.
2. The least sought-after website addresses for AI firms are single words followed by the .ai suffix.
3. The demand for AI-related domain names has led to high prices, with npc.ai and service.ai being sold for $250,000 and $127,500, respectively.
4. Tech entrepreneur Ian Leaman paid $10,000 for the domain name Pantry.ai.
5. The surge in AI-related domain names is driven by neither start-ups seeking online presence nor speculators aiming to profit from selling these domains.
6. Acquiring a domain name involves checking its availability through accredited domain registrars.
7. Despite the high prices, the trend of AI-related domain names is expected to continue due to the increasing investment in AI and companies’ desire to showcase their AI capabilities.
8. Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, has noted a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites, with sales reaching the low to six figures.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. How much did Ian Leaman pay for the domain name Pantry.ai, and why was the price so high?
2. What are some examples of high-selling AI-related domain names mentioned in the article?
3. Who is Joe Udemme and what has he noted about the demand for AI-named websites?
4. According to the article, what was the total value of domain names including AI in 2021, and how does it compare to the previous year?
5. What advice does Andrew Rosener offer to companies seeking AI-focused domain names?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What was the purchase price of the domain name Pantry.ai?
The purchase price of the domain name Pantry.ai was $12,000.

2. Which domain names were sold for $250,000 and $127,500 respectively?
The domain names npc.ai and service.ai were sold for $250,000 and $127,500, respectively.

3. How does one go about acquiring a domain name if it is already taken?
If the desired domain name is already taken, one can engage a domain brokerage to negotiate a deal with the current owner.

4. What has Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, noted about the demand for AI-named websites?
Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, has noted a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites, with sales reaching the low to six figures.

5. What was the total value of domain names including AI in 2021, and how does it compare to the previous year?
The total value of domain names including AI was $20 million in 2021, compared to $7 million the previous year.

6. What are the two main drivers behind the surge in AI-related domain names?
The two main drivers behind the surge in AI-related domain names are start-ups seeking an online presence and speculators aiming to profit from selling these domains.

7. Why does Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow, believe that a short and memorable domain name is important for companies?
Matt Barrie, CEO of Escrow, believes that a short and memorable domain name is important for companies because it can enhance their online visibility and consumer recall.

8. What advice does Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions, offer to companies considering the purchase of AI-focused domains?
Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions, advises companies to avoid overpaying for AI-focused domains unless their business is truly AI-centric.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) founder
(2) Pantry.ai
(3) unique
(4) other
(5) domain
(6) Udemme
(7) increase
(8) value
(9) profit
(10) domains
(11) short
(12) visibility
(13) considered
(14) digital
(15) companies
(16) continue
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. domain
Answer: (g) The person who is the highest-ranking officer

2. Pantry
Answer: (f) A word or letter added to the end of a word

3. AI
Answer: (a) A company or individual that facilitates the sale of domain names

4. registrar
Answer: (e) An area of the internet with a particular address

5. brokerage
Answer: (b) A person or firm that buys and sells goods or assets in the hope of making a profit

6. CEO
Answer: (h) A place where domain names are registered

7. speculators
Answer: (d) A system that enables computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence

8. suffix
Answer: (c) A room or cupboard used for storing food or dishes
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Ian Leaman have to pay for the domain name Pantry.ai?
Answer: (b) $12,000

2. How much was the domain name npc.ai sold for?
Answer: (c) $250,000

3. What does the process of acquiring a domain name involve?
Answer: (c) Checking its availability through accredited domain registrars

4. Who noted a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites?
Answer: (a) Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts

5. How much did the total value of domain names including AI rise to in 2021?
Answer: (b) $20 million

6. What is the most sought-after website address for AI firms?
Answer: (d) Single words followed by the .ai suffix

7. What does Matt Barrie emphasize the importance of for companies?
Answer: (d) A short and memorable domain name

8. Who advises companies to avoid overpaying for AI-focused domains unless their business is truly AI-centric?
Answer: (a) Andrew Rosener, CEO of MediaOptions
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The total value of domain names including AI has decreased to $10 million in 2021, compared to $7 million the previous year. (Answer: False)
2. The least sought-after website addresses for AI firms are single words followed by the .ai suffix. (Answer: False)
3. The demand for AI-related domain names has led to high prices, with npc.ai and service.ai being sold for $250,000 and $127,500, respectively. (Answer: True)
4. Tech entrepreneur Ian Leaman paid $10,000 for the domain name Pantry.ai. (Answer: False)
5. The surge in AI-related domain names is driven by neither start-ups seeking online presence nor speculators aiming to profit from selling these domains. (Answer: False)
6. Acquiring a domain name involves checking its availability through accredited domain registrars. (Answer: True)
7. Despite the high prices, the trend of AI-related domain names is expected to continue due to the increasing investment in AI and companies’ desire to showcase their AI capabilities. (Answer: True)
8. Joe Udemme, CEO of Name Experts, has noted a significant increase in the demand for AI-named websites, with sales reaching the low to six figures. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧