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ICANN85: DNS Abuse, AI, and the Future of the Internet

One of the key topics was WSIS+20. The decision made at the end of last year was seen as important, but there was also a clear understanding that the model must prove its value in practice. It is not enough for global internet governance to exist: it must create real results. The network of Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meetings is a strong achievement, but there is still work to do. Its role in shaping policy needs to grow, and more effort is needed to involve young people. One issue stood out clearly during the discussions: young voices were largely missing from the table. ICANN acknowledged this and promised to improve it in the future.

Another concern that came up was the impact of global political tensions. Internet governance is closely linked to international cooperation, especially within the United Nations system. However, recent geopolitical developments have raised concerns that some countries may step back from cooperation. If that happens, it could weaken the system that keeps the internet open and stable. Since the current model depends on many different stakeholders working together, it is important to start thinking about how to handle such risks before they become real problems.

Artificial intelligence was, as expected, part of the conversation as well. Many discussions focused on how AI can help prevent DNS abuse by detecting harmful patterns, automating processes, and supporting user verification. However, the reality is still complex. The role of domain registries in stopping harmful activity differs from country to country. In Estonia, for example, a registry can only suspend a domain when there is an official order from a competent authority. In some other countries, registries have more direct control.

Most registries today use a reactive approach. This means that action is taken only after abuse is detected and reported. The problem is that this process can take hours or even days. During that time, harmful activity can already cause damage. Even when a domain is suspended, the person behind it can quickly register a new one, often within minutes and often using generic domains. This makes domain suspension only a temporary solution.

This situation creates frustration. Many expect registries to act faster and more strongly, but doing so would require new rules and clear responsibilities. At the same time, it became clear that there is often a misunderstanding about what a domain actually is. A domain name is not the same as a website. The real issue lies in the content and the person behind it. A good comparison is social media. If illegal content appears on a platform, we do not shut down the entire platform. Otherwise, services like Facebook or Instagram would not exist today. The challenge is complex, and there is no simple answer.

During the meeting, registries also shared best practices. Many are now working on using AI to detect risks earlier, monitor WHOIS data more effectively, and build better fraud prevention models. One important conclusion stood out from these discussions. Strong user verification is one of the most effective ways to keep the domain space safe and trustworthy.

There was also a broader look at the domain market. Data from CENTR showed that Europe makes up about 30 percent of the global domain market, and more than half of that consists of country-code domains. After a period of slower growth since 2022, the market started to recover last year. This slowdown may have been linked to the period after COVID-19, when many digital services created during the pandemic reached the end of their lifecycle.

At the same time, the share of international users has increased. Over the past ten years, the proportion of foreign users has grown from around 9 percent to 13 percent. This trend can also be seen in the .ee domain. Country-code domains are also becoming more attractive because they are often more affordable than generic domains. While their average purchase price has decreased over time, renewal prices have increased and now average around 15 euros per year.

The impact of artificial intelligence on domains is still uncertain. On one hand, AI tools make it easier than ever to create websites and digital services. On the other hand, AI is starting to replace traditional search engines, which means users may not visit websites as often as before. In the future, domains may find new roles, for example as identifiers in digital wallets or for AI agents.

One concern, however, is clear. Young people seem to be less interested in domains than before. This means that the value of domains needs to be explained more clearly. People need to understand why domains matter and how they create real value.

In the end, the meeting showed that while challenges differ across regions, the goal remains the same everywhere. We need to keep the internet open, secure, and working for everyone. This is why ICANN meetings are so important. They bring people together, help share knowledge, and support global cooperation.

The next ICANN meeting will take place in June, where the focus will shift more towards policy discussions.