Today at Open Source Summit North America, the Linux Foundation announced the formation of the Agent2Agent project with Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow. With the formation of this new, independent entity, the companies will collaborate closely on fostering an open and interoperable ecosystem for AI agents with the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol and other interoperability technology. The project will be hosted by the Linux Foundation and will be seeded with Google’s transfer of the groundbreaking Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol specification, accompanying SDKs, and developer tooling.
The A2A protocol, an open standard for communication and collaboration between distinct AI agents, aims to break down the silos that currently limit the potential of artificial intelligence. More than 100 companies now support the protocol, with AWS and Cisco as its newest validators. By providing a common language for AI agents to discover each other’s capabilities, securely exchange information, and coordinate complex tasks, the A2A protocol is paving the way for a new era of more powerful, collaborative, and innovative AI applications.
The formation of the Agent2Agent project under the neutral governance of the Linux Foundation will ensure that this critical component remains vendor-agnostic and community-driven. This move is designed to accelerate the adoption and development of the A2A protocol by providing a robust framework for open collaboration, intellectual property management, and long-term stewardship.
Key Objectives of the Agent2Agent Foundation
- Establish an open standard: Drive the evolution and adoption of the A2A specification as the premier industry standard for AI agent interoperability, ensuring universal compatibility.
- Foster a vibrant ecosystem: Cultivate a diverse global community of developers, researchers, and companies, accelerating the creation of innovative A2A-based technologies and applications.
- Ensure neutral governance: Provide a level playing field for all contributors and consumers, managed under the trusted, open-governance framework of the Linux Foundation.
- Accelerate secure innovation: Encourage the development of novel applications and services that leverage the power of secure, collaborative AI agents.
“We are happy to be the new home of the Agent2Agent Protocol project," said Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation. “By joining the Linux Foundation, A2A is ensuring the long-term neutrality, collaboration and governance that will unlock the next era of agent-to-agent powered productivity."