Artificial intelligence is entering a new era of teamwork and interoperability. During the Open Source Summit North America, Google Cloud announced it is donating its Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol to the Linux Foundation. This strategic move brings together tech giants like Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow to champion secure, open, and collaborative communication between AI agents across platforms.
Google joins IBM in the race for the AI Agent Protocol
The race for the dominate protocol for connecting AI Agents is now in full steam as Google joins IBM in open sourcing Protocols through the Linux Foundation. back in March 2025 IBM donated their Agent Communication Protocol to the Foundation setting the stage for open agent collaboration and a benchmark for industry peers to follow. ACP’s lightweight, extensible, and RESTful approach makes it ideal for decentralized, cross-organizational applications.
Understanding the Google Agent2Agent Protocol
The A2A protocol is an open standard that enables different AI agents to communicate and collaborate seamlessly. Historically, AI systems have operated in isolation, limiting their collective potential. A2A changes the game by introducing a shared language that allows agents to:
- Discover one another's capabilities
- Exchange information securely
- Coordinate on complex, multi-step tasks
With support from over 100 companies and early validation from AWS and Cisco, A2A is quickly gaining traction. The protocol paves the way for collaborative, innovative, and more robust AI applications by connecting previously siloed systems.
The Significance of Linux Foundation Stewardship
Transferring A2A to the Linux Foundation ensures the project remains vendor-neutral and community-driven. The foundation’s trusted governance structure supports:
- Open collaboration among diverse stakeholders
- Effective management of intellectual property
- Long-term stewardship that prioritizes industry-wide needs
This approach accelerates A2A’s adoption and invites contributions from a broad spectrum of developers and organizations, ensuring the protocol evolves inclusively and effectively.
Industry Leaders Champion Open Standards
Major technology players have voiced strong support for A2A, emphasizing the critical role of interoperability. Their collective goals include:
- Building an “Internet of Agents” that transcends proprietary barriers
- Integrating A2A into open-source and existing enterprise platforms
- Developing secure, scalable, and enterprise-ready agentic AI solutions
This unified vision demonstrates a shared commitment to community-driven development as the fastest path to mainstream adoption and innovation in AI agent collaboration.
Core Objectives of the Agent2Agent Foundation
Now hosted by the Linux Foundation, the Agent2Agent Foundation is committed to four primary objectives:
- Open standardization: Guide the universal adoption of A2A as the benchmark for AI agent interoperability.
- Community building: Foster a diverse ecosystem of developers and organizations creating A2A-driven applications.
- Neutral governance: Ensure fair participation and open governance for all contributors.
- Secure innovation: Drive the development of secure, collaborative AI agents and services using A2A.
Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, emphasized that the protocol’s new home guarantees ongoing neutrality, governance, and collaboration—catalyzing the next wave of AI-powered productivity.
The Road Ahead: Expanding Interoperability
The Agent2Agent initiative is just the beginning. The foundation and its partners are working to define additional open standards for trustworthy agent identity, delegated authority, governance, security, and reputation. The project welcomes contributions from organizations and individuals eager to help shape the next generation of interconnected AI.
With A2A under the Linux Foundation’s stewardship, the technology industry is set to accelerate the development of open, secure, and interoperable intelligent agents that can work seamlessly across platforms and enterprises.
About the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is a cornerstone of open source collaboration, providing a home for critical projects that form the backbone of the world's infrastructure. These include Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and many others.
The Foundation champions sustainable open collaboration by focusing on the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers. You can learn more at linuxfoundation.org. Please note that The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks, and a list can be found on their trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Conclusion
Google Cloud’s donation of the A2A protocol marks a crucial turning point for the AI sector. By fostering open standards and rallying industry leaders, this initiative lays a strong foundation for a more connected and innovative future. As the ecosystem expands, developers, researchers, and organizations stand to benefit from a more collaborative AI landscape.
Source: Google Developers Blog
Google Donates A2A Protocol To Linux Foundation to Supercharge AI Collaboration